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THE 



RISE, PROGRESS AND TRAVELS 



OF THE 



Clurcli of Jesus Christ of Latter-flay Saints, 




BEING A SERIES OF 



ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS, 



INCLUDING 



THE REVELATION ON CELESTIAL MARRIAGE, 

AND 

A brief Account of the Settlement of Salt Lake Valley, 
with Interesting Statistics, 



By PRESIDENT GEORGE A. SMITH. 



Second Edition, Revised and Enlarged, 



PRINTED AT THE 

DESERET NEWS OFFICE, SALT LAKE CITY: 
1872. 




Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1872, by 

GI-IEJO- -A.. STvUTH, 

In the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D. C, and in the Clerk's office of the 
Third District Court for the Territory of Utah. 



&S/e— e^ 



THE 



YIAH 



RISE, PROGRESS AND TRAVELS 



Clrt if Jssis Christ if Latter-Say Saints, 



BEING A SERIES OF 



ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS, 



INCLUDING 



THE REVELATION ON CELESTIAL MARRIAGE, 



A Brief Account of the Settlement of Salt Lake Valley, 
with Interesting Statistics, 

By PRESIDENT GEORGE A. SMITH. 



Second Edition, 



PRINTED AT THE 

DESERET NEWS OFFICE, SALT LAKE CITY 
1872. 




"-C/^L; 



9&o- 



■esgg 



THE LIBRARY 
OF CONGRESS 

WASHINGTON 




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PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION. 



As President Brigliain Young and the Church authorities are frequently 
called upon for information pertaining to the Church history, also the history and 
settlement of these valleys of the mountains, "with the educational, agricultural, 
horticultural and irrigation statistics pertaining thereto, &c, it has been deemed 
wisdom to 'write and collate such items as "would satisfactorily answer the gener- 
ality of questions propounded ; hence, the publication of this pamphlet has been 
undertaken, with the sincere hope that all honest inquirers after the truth of the 
Latter-day Work and the material development of the resources of these moun- 
tains may be refreshed and gratified by the perusal thereof. 

Historian's Office, 

Salt Lake City, July, 1869. 



ftg^e-- e^5 



i 



RO^ ^§S 



ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS 



CONCERNING THE 



RISE, PROGRESS AND TRAVELS 



CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. 



In the Spring of 1844, Joseph Smith, President of the 
Chnrch of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, who was then 
living at Nanvoo, Hancock County, Illinois, selected a com- 
pany of men to explore the Rocky Mountains, with a view to 
rind a place where the Saints could locate and enjoy an im- 
munity from that religious persecution which had followed 
the Church in the States of New York, Ohio, Missouri and 
Illinois. President Smith at that time expressed his deter- 
mination to explore the mountain valleys, and prophesied that 
within five years the Saints would be located in the Rocky 
Mountains beyond the influence of mobs, requesting it to be 
recorded, that when it came to pass it might be remembered. _ 

While this company were making preparations for their 
journey a mob assembled at Carthage, the county seat of 
Hancock, to menace the Saints. Disappointed political dema- 
gogues, writhing under the sting of defeat, and apostates, who 
had been expelled the Church because of their iniquity, com- 
bined at this juncture to fan the flame of excitement and per- 
secution, insomuch that the Governor of the State, Thomas 
Ford, deemed it advisable to visit Hancock County. When 
Joseph Smith, the Prophet, learned that the Governor had 
called out the militia at Carthage, who composed the mob 
previously collected there, and had made a requsition for ad- 
ditional forces from Warsaw, where resided many of the most 
bitter enemies of the Saints, he was apprehensive that it was 
their intention to murder instead of try him, (having already 
been about fifty times before judicial tribunals, and invariably 
acquitted) he hesitated to answer the process of law, until the 
Governor plighted the faith of the State that he should be pro- 
tected and have a fair trial. When Governor Ford made the 
pledge, Joseph, with his brother Hyrum, proceeded to Car- ' 



%€/^ 



2 



ANSWEES TO QUESTIONS. 




tliage, where they surrendered themselves prisoners to the 
constable who held the writ for them. They voluntarily entered 
into recognizances before the Justice of the Peace for their 
appearance at court to answer the charge; whereupon, a new 
writ was issued against them on the affidavit of two dissolute 
men, charging them with treason, and they were immediately 
thrust into jail, Elders Wiilard Richards and John Taylor 
being permitted to accompany them. 

Governor Ford then disbanded all his troops except the 
"Carthage Greys," who were known to possess the most 
violent feelings of hatred against Joseph and Hyrum Smith, 
and after holding a private council on the subject, he left them 
to their fate. 

MASSACEE OF JOSEPH AND HYEUM SMITH. 

On the 27th of June, 1844, about 150 men, with their 
faces blackened, surrounded the prison and deliberately mur- 
dered Joseph and Hyrum Smith, leaving Elder John Taylor 
severely wounded with four balls; Elder Wiilard Richards, 
who was in the same room, escaped unhurt. 

At the fall term of court, bills of indictment for murder 
in the first degree were found against the principal leaders in 
the massacre; but they were allowed to go at large on bail, and 
to become each other's security, the sum required being only 
one thousand dollars. 

In May, 1845, they had a sham trial and were acquitted, 
although the most of the members of the court, bar, jury and 
witnesses knew them to be guilty of the murder. 

The Twelve Apostles, being the first quorum remaining in 
the Church, immediately returned from their missions abroad, 
and by the unanimous voice of the Saints took their position 
at the head of affairs in Nauvoo, Brigham Young, President of 
the Twelve Apostles, presiding. A revelation had been given 
through Joseph Smith in 1841, commanding the Saints to build 
a Temple in which to administer the ordinances of the gospel; 
also to build a house to be called "The Nauvoo House," for 
the entertainment of strangers, and a sufficient time was 
granted for the completion of this work which would be ac- 
ceptable only in the day of their poverty, in order that they 
might prove themselves faithful in all things that they were 
commanded; nevertheless the Lord said: 

"Verily, verily I say unto you, that when I give a commandment to 
any of the sons of men to do a work unto my name, and those sons of 
men go with all their might and with all they have to perform that work, 
and cease not their diligence, and their enemies come upon them and 
hinder them from performing that work, behold it behooveth me to re- 
quire that work no more at the hands of those sons of men, but to accept 
of their offerings, and the iniquity and transgression of my holy laws and 
commandments I will visit upon the heads of those wlio hindered my 
work, unto the third and fourth generation, so long as they repent not 

£g\a- . ^^ 




ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS. 




and hate me, saith the Lord God. Therefore, for this cause have I accepted 
the offerings of those whom I commanded to build up a city and a house 
unto my name, in Jackson County, Missouri, and were hindered by their 
enemies, saith the Lord your God; and I will answer judgment, wrath 
and indignation, wailing and anguish, and gnashing of teeth upon their 
heads unto the third and fourth generation, so long as they repent not 
and hate me, saith the Lord your God. 

"And this I make an example unto you, for your consolation, 
concerning all those who have been commanded to do a work 
and have been hindered by the hands of their enemies and by oppression, 
saith the Lord your God; for I am the Lord your God, and will save all 
those of your brethren who have been pure in heart and have been slain 
in the land of Missouri, saith the Lord." 

In view of fulfilling this Revelation, the Twelve pushed 
forward the building of the Temple, which at the time of the 
Prophet's death was about one half story above the basement. 
This magnificent work was vigorously prosecuted to its com- 
pletion in the face of relentless persecution, and amid obstacles 
of the most difficult and trying kind. A Seventies' Hall, a 
Music Hall and anArsenel were also built, the Nauvoo House 
was recommenced and the brick work of the first story com- 
pleted, when the mob, coming to the conclusion that the 
murder of the Prophets had not destroyed the progress of the 
work of the Lord, commenced, on the 13th of September, 1845, 
burning houses in the south-west portion of Hancock County, 
whereupon the sheriff issued the following 

PROCLAMATION 

To the Citizens of Hancock County: 

Whereas, a mob from one to two hundred men, under arms, have 
gathered themselves together in the south-west part of Hancock County, 
and are at this time destroying the dwellings and other buildings, stacks 
of grain and other property, of a portion of our citizens, in the most in- 
human manner, compelling defenceless children and women to leave their 
sick beds, and exposing them to the rays of the parching sun, there to lie 
and sutler without the aid or assistance of a friendly hand to minister to 
their wants, in their suffering condition. 

The rioters spare not the widow nor orphan, and while I am writing 
this proclamation, the smoke is rising to. the clouds, and the flames are 
devouring four buildings which have just been set on fire by the rioters. 
Thousands of dollars' worth of property has already been consumed, an 
entire settlement of about sixty or seventy families laid waste, the inhab- 
itants thereof are fired upon, narrowly escaping with their lives, and 
forced to flee before the- ravages of the mob. 

By the revised laws of our State under the Criminal Code, sixth divi- 
sion, 58 section, page 181 , the crime of Arson is defined as follows: ''Every 
"person who shall wilfully and maliciously burn, or cause to be burned, 
"any dwelling house, kitchen, office, shop, barn, stable, store-house, etc., 
"etc., shall be deemed guilty of arson, and upon conviction thereof, shall 
"be punished by imprisonment in the penitentiary for a term not less 
"than one year, nor more than ten years, and should the life or lives of 
"any person or persons be lost in consequence of any such offence afore- 
"said, such offender shall be guilty of murder, and shall be indicted 
"and punished accordingly." 

And whereas, the laws of this State make it my duty, as a peace offi- 
cer of this county, to suppress all riots, routs, etc., etc., and all other 
crimes, 



< t£§^> ; -&3£ 

8 ANSWEKS TO QUESTIONS. 

Therefore, I, J. B. Backenstos, Sheriff of the County of Hancock, 
and State of Illinois, in the name of the People of said State, and by the 
authority vested in me by virtue of my office, hereby solemnly command 
the said rioters and other peace breakers to desist forthwith, disperse, and 
go to their homes, under penalty of the laws; and I hereby call upon the 
law-abiding citizens, as a posse comitatus of Hancock County, to give 
their united aid in suppressing the rioters and maintain the supremacy of 
the law. 

J. B. BACKENSTOS, Sheriff of Hancock County, Illinois. 

P. S. — It is a part of my policy, that the citizens of Nauvoo remain 
quiet, and not a man from that city leave as a posse until it be made man- 
ifest that the law and order citizens without the city will not have force 
sufficient to suppress the rioters of this disgraceful outrage, but that 2,000 
effective men hold themselves in readiness to march at a moment's warn- 
ing to any point in Hancock County. 

J. B. B., Sheriff. 

Green Plains, Hancock County, III., Sept. 13th, 1845. 

To this proclamation no attention whatever was paid ex- 
cept by the mob, who used it as a justification for trying to 
kill the Sheriff, although he was not a "Mormon" and was 
only acting in the discharge of his official dnty. In the 
attempt, however, to kill the Sheriff, one of the mob was 
killed. 

Subsequently another proclamation was issued calling 
upon the "Mormon" people of the county as well as all other 
law-abiding citizens to arm themselves, and be in readiness to 
act at a moment's notice in the defence of the lives and pro- 
perty of peaceful citizens, and to suppress mob violence 
throughout the county. The leaders of the mob then fled the 
county to avoid being arrested, upon which Governor Thomas 
Ford sent General John J. Harding, with 400 militia, to Nauvoo, 
who dismissed the Sheriff's posse, but made no attempt to 
arrest the house burners. General Harding informed the 
Latter-day Saints in Hancock County that "the State could not 
protect them, the mob were determined to drive them from the 
State, and they must therefore go." Previous to this, a coun- 
cil of the authorities of the Church had passed a resolution, 
which, as a matter of policy, was kept private, to send one 
thousand five hundred men as pioneers to make a settlement 
in the valley of the Great Salt Lake, being determined, in 
accordance with the design and policy of Joseph Smith the 
Prophet, to leave Illinois. 

Meantime a proposition was made to the mob (the State 
authorities saying they were powerless) to cease vexatious law 
suits, stop burning and plundering, and aid the "Mormon" 
people by purchasing their property on fair terms, allowing 
them a reasonable time, and they would remove from the 
State. This proposition was accepted, and in accordance there- 
with, companies were immediately formed, the construction of 
several thousand wagons was commenced, and during the 
winter of 1845-46 and the ensuing spring they were built, 
principally of green timber, which was boiled in brine to facil- 



v 



r 



ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS. 9 



itate its seasoning. All the iron that conld be procured was 
used in their construction, and the deficiency was made up 
with raw-hides, hickory withes, etc. Nearly all the old wag- 
ons in the surrounding country were purchased, and all pos- 
sible preparations were made by many for an early start in the 
spring; but the persecution being renewed, in violation of the 
before named pledge, one thousand families commenced their 
journey in the month of February, 1846, some crossing the 
Mississippi on the ice, thinking by so doing to allay the ex- 
citement against those who at that time were unable to leave. 

President Young, and the leaders of the Church, with a 
scant}?- outfit, pursued their journey westward, having to make 
the road for about three hundred miles through an unsettled 
country, bridging numerous streams and encountering nearly 
every vicissitude of weather, making a settlement called Gar- 
den Grove on the east fork, and one called Pisgah on the west 
fork, of Grand river, in the State of Iowa, breaking and plant- 
ing a thousand acres of prairie land for the benefit of those 
who were not able to go farther, as well as those who were 
coming after. 

MORMON BATTALION. 

The advanced companies arrived at Council Bluffs in July, 
where they were met by Captain James Allen of the TJ. S. 
army, who called upon them, in behalf of the War Depart- 
ment, for five hundred men to assist in the war with Mexico. 
President Young's reply to this requisition was, "You shall 
have your battalion, if it has to be composed of our Elders." 

The required battalion was soon made up and on the way, 
leaving their families in the Omaha country, on the west side 
of the Missouri river in wagons, without protectors or adequate 
means of subsistence. Thus was this body of volunteers en- 
listed from the camp of the Latter-day Saints just after their 
expulsion from Illinois. 

There were about two thousand wagons encamped in 
Western Iowa, between the east fork of Grand river and the 
Missouri river, a distance of about one hundred and thirty 
miles; but the main body of the camp was in the Omaha 
country, on the west side of the Missouri. 

The live companies of volunteers assembled at Council 
Bluffs and were mustered into service on the 16th of July, 
1846; they numbered upwards of five hundred men. They 
marched to Fort Leavenworth, where they received their mus- 
kets and other accoutrements of United States infantry. 

On the 13th of August they started for California, via 
Santa Fe, each soldier carrying his musket, his blanket, knap- 
sack, ammunition and canteen. 

Lieut. Col. Allen, who remained behind the battalion at 
Fort Leavenworth to complete his outfit, died suddenly; his 



loss was deeply mourned by the battalion, who were sincerely 
attached to him. On their march they suffered much for want 
of water and provisions; in one instance, they traveled sixty 
miles without water. They arrived at Santa Fe, Sept. 12th, 
where Lieut. Col. P. St. George Cooke, who had been appoint- 
ed by Gen. Kearney, took command of the battalion in the 
place of Col. Allen, deceased, and who, before marching for 
California, selected out all the laundresses, and those who, on 
a rigid examination, were supposed to be unable to continue 
the march, and placed them under the command of Capt. 
James Brown, who started on the 18th, with orders to make a 
post at Pueblo on the xlrkansas river, which was accordingly 
done. Col. Cooke, with the battalion, proceeded to California. 
To avoid the snows of the Rocky Mountains, the battalion fol- 
lowed the Rio Del Norte south for three hundred miles, then 
turning west, passed through the fortified town of Tucson; 
after which their guides were unacquainted with the route, and 
it had to be sought out like men traveling in the dark. 

On leaving Santa Fe they were placed on three-quarter 
rations, and soon after were reduced to one-half and subse- 
quently to one-quarter rations; their meat was composed of 
the remains of such draft animals as were unable to proceed. 
On one occasion, however, they were relieved by a very roman- 
tic and providential encounter with a herd of wild bulls. They 
traveled one hundred miles without water; sank deep wells in 
the desert, and arrived on the Pacific coast with but little loss. 
The Colonel issued the following complimentary order on their 
arrival: 

"Headquarters, Mission of San Diego, Jan. 30th, 1847. 
Order jSTo. 1. 

The Lieut. Colonel commanding congratulates the Battalion on its 
safe arrival on the shores of the Pacific Ocean, and the conclusion of its 
march of over two thousand miles. History may be searched in vain for 
an equal march of infantry; nine-tenths of it through a wilderness, where 
nothing but savages and wild beasts are found; or deserts where, for the 
want of water, there is no living creature. There, with almost hopeless 
labor, we have dug deep wells, which the future traveler will enjoy. 
Without a guide who had traversed them, we have ventured into trackless 
prairies, where water was not found for several marches. With crowbar 
and pick-axe in hand, w T e have worked our way over mountains, which 
seemed to defy aught save the wild goat, and hewed a passage through a 
chasm of living rock, more narrow than our wagons. To bring these first 
wagons to the Pacific, we have preserved the strength of the mules by 
herding them over large tracks, which you have laboriously guarded with- 
out loss. 

The garrison of four Presidios of Sonora, concentrated within the 
walls of Tucson, gave us no pause: we drove them out with their artil- 
lery; but our intercourse w r ith the citizens was unmarked by a single act 
of injustice. Thus marching, half naked and half fed, and living upon 
wild animals, we have discovered and made a road of great value to our 
country. 

Arrived at the first settlement of California, after a single day's rest, 
you cheerfully turned off from the route to this point of promised repose, , 
to enter upon a campaign, and meet, as we believed, the approach of the J 

J&&- -e/g$ 



^ -^f 

/ ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS. 11 ^ 

enemy; and this, too, without even salt to season your sole subsistence of 
fresh meat. 

Lieutenants A. J. Smith and George Stoneman, of the 1st Dragoons, 
have shared and given valuable aid in all these labors. 

Thus, volunteers, you have exhibited some high and essential qualities 
of veterans. But much remains undone. Soon you will turn your strict 
attention to the drill, to system and order, to forms also, which are all 
necessary to the soldier. 

By order of Lieut. Col. P. St. George Cooke, 

(Signed) P. C. Merrill, Adjt." 

The distance from Council Bluffs, the place of enlistment, 
to Fort Leavenworth is about 180 miles; from Fort Leaven- 
worth, by the Cimmeron route, to Santa Fe, 700 miles; from 
Santa Fe, by the route traveled to San Diego, 1,150 miles, mak- 
ing a total of 2,030 miles. Almost the entire march being over 
an uninhabited region, and much of the way a trackless un- 
explored and forbidding desert, affording neither water nor 
grass sufficient for animals, and when the teams failed, the 
battalion had to carry the extra amount of ammunition and, 
at the same time, push the wagons through the heavy sand 
and over the rugged mountains. 

A fruitful source of annoyance to the battalion was the 
lack of confidence in thn United States Surgeon, Dr. San- 
derson, who was known formerly to have been a bitter perse- 
cutor of the Latter-day Saints, and whose expressions and 
actions confirmed the suspicions that it was his wish to destroy 
them; the refusal of many of them to take his prescriptions 
produced very unpleasant and angry feelings. 

The battalion was discharged at Los Angeles, one year 
from the date of their enlistment, without means to enable 
them to return to their families. At the request of the military 
commander in California, who feared a Spanish revolt, one 
company re-enlisted for six months, which service was per- 
formed in a highly satisfactory manner, both to the officers and 
the people of San Diego, where they were stationed. The ar- 
rival of this battalion on the Pacific coast was opportune to the 
Government, as it was just in time to prevent the re-occupation 
of California by the Mexicans, or perhaps its passing into the 
possession of Great Britain; and the credit of accomplishing for 
the American arms a march of infantry without a parallel in 
history, and saving thereby an empire to their country, is 
justly due to the Mormon Battalion. 

WINTER QUARTERS. 

After the departure of the battalion from Council Bluffs, 
President Young gathered up the scattering companies and 
established a town called Winter Quarters, where 700 log cab- 
ins and 150 dug-outs (cabins half under ground) were built 
during the Fall and Winter, upon the site of what is now 
known as Florence, Nebraska. At this point the Saints suf- 
(J f erred extremely from sickness, exposure and the want of the 




necessaries of life. Several thousand wagons were also en- 
camped in various localities on the east side of the Missouri 
river, where the Saints began to build up a place, subsequently 
named Kanesville, (now Council Bluffs), in honor of Thomas 
L. Kane, of Philadelphia, whose kindness had endeared him 
to them. 

EXPULSION FROM XAUYOO. 

When it became known in Illinois that the flower of the 
camp had enlisted into the service of the United States, the 
mob assembled with redoubled fury, formed a military en- 
campment, provided with artillery, in the neighborhood of 
Nauvoo, which now contained the poor, the helpless, the sick 
and infirm, as all who were able to leave, on any terms, had 
done so during the Spring and Summer. 

The mob, under command of Rev. Thomas S. Brockman, 
increased their force to about 1,800, made several unsuccessful 
attacks upon the city, (which could barely muster 123 men) 
killing three men and wounding a number of others and bat- 
tering down many buildings. They finally succeeded, on the 
17th day of September, after several days' siege and three 
days' bombardment, in driving the people, helpless and desti- 
tute of everything that could make life desirable, across the 
river into Iowa. Here many must have perished from starvation 
had not the kind Creator fed them by sending upon their 
camps flocks of quails so tame that the women caught them 
with their hands. In this place they lay exposed to the storms 
of autumn right in view of a thousand empty houses belong- 
ing to themselves and friends, until teams were sent back 
from the camps to remove the survivors, many having died. 
To crown their victory, the mob subsequently set fire to the 
Temple of INauvoo, which was the most beautiful building in 
the Western States. It was the first specimen of a new order 
of architecture, introduced by President Joseph Smith, and 
had cost a million dollars. The light of its fire was visible for 
thirty miles. 

Very little real estate had been sold, though the improve- 
ments, property and buildings of the Saints in Illinois were 
among the best in the Western States. Such a vast amount of 
property exposed for sale in Hancock and adjoining counties 
had a tendency to glut the market, which together with the 
hostile influence of our enemies, prevented sales even at low 
rates. Fortunately oxen were cheap, and companies continu- 
ed leaving till late in the summer, making the new rout a 
grand encampment for 300 miles, as wagons were to be seen 
at every watering place. 

For a more full description of these scenes, the following 
extract is copied from the historical address of Colonel (now 
General) Thomas L. Kane, who was an eye-witness: 

g€^ : : = "^^5 



I ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS. 13 

"A few years ago," said Colonel Kane, "ascending the Upper Mis- 
sissippi in the autumn, when its waters were low, I was compelled to 
travel by land past the region of the Rapids. My road lay through the 
Half-breed Tract, a fine section of Iowa, which the unsettled state of its 
land-titles had appropriated as a sanctuary for coiners, horse-thieves, and 
other outlaws. I had left my steamer at Keokuk, at the foot of the Lower 
Fall, to hire a carriage, and to contend for some fragments of a dirty meal 
with the swarming flies, the only scavengers of the locality. 

"From this place to where the deep water of the river returns, my eye 
wearied to see everywhere sordid, vagabond and idle settlers; and a country 
marred, without being improved, by their careless hands. I was descend- 
ing the last hill-side upon my journey, when a landscape in delightful 
contrast broke upon my view. Half encircled by a bend of the river, a 
beautiful city lay glittering in the fresh morning sun; its bright new 
dwellings, set in cool green gardens, ranging up around a stately dome- 
shaped hill, which was crowned by a noble marble edifice, whose high 
tapering spire was radiant with white and gold. The city appeared to 
cover several miles; and beyond it, in the background, there rolled off a 
fair country, chequered by the careful lines of fruitful husbandry. The 
unmistakeable marks of industry, enterprise, and educated wealth every- 
where, made the scene one of singular and most striking beauty. It was 
a natural impulse to visit this inviting region. I procured a skiff, and 
rowing across the river, landed at the chief wharf of the city. No one 
met me there. I looked, and saw no one. I could hear no one move; 
though the quiet everywhere was such that I heard the flies buzz, and the 
water-ripples break against the shallow of the beach. I walked through 
the solitary streets. The town lay as in a dream, under some deadening 
spell of loneliness, from which I almost feared to wake it; for plainly it 
had not slept long. There was no grass growing up in the paved ways; 
rains had not entirely washed away the prints of dusty footsteps. 

"Yet I went about unchecked. I went into empty workshops, rope- 
walks and smithies. The spinner's wheel was idle, the carpenter had 
gone from his work-bench and shavings, his unfinished sash and casing. 
Fresh bark was in the tanner's vat, and the fresh-chopped lightwood stood 
piled against the baker's oven. The blacksmith's shop was cold, but his 
coal heap and ladling pool and crooked water-horn were all there, as if he 
had just gone off for a holiday. No work-people anywhere looked to know 
my errand. 

"If I went into the gardens, clinking the wicket-latch loudly after 
me, to pull the marygolds, heartsease, and lady-slippers, and draw a drink 
with the water-sodden well-bucket and its noisy chain ; or, knocking off 
with my stick the tall, heavy-headed dahlias and sunfioweres, hunted over 
the beds for cucumbers and love-apples — no one called out to me from 
any opened window, or dog sprang forward to bark an alarm. 

"I could have supposed the people hidden in the houses, but the doors 
were unfastened; and when, at last, I timidly entered them, I found dead 
ashes white upon the hearths, and had to tread a-tiptoe, as if walking 
down the aisle of a country church, to avoid arousing irreverent echoes from 
the naked floors. On the outskirts of the town was the city grave-yard; 
but there was no record of plague there, nor did it in anywise differ much 
from other Protestant American cemeteries. Some of the mounds were 
not long sodded; some of the stones were newly set, their dates recent, and 
their black inscriptions glossy in the mason's hardly dried lettering ink. 
Beyond the graveyard, out in the fields, I saw, in one spot hard by where 
the fruited boughs of a young orchard had been roughly torn down, the 
still smouldering embers of a barbecue fire, that had been constructed 
of rails from the fencing around it. It was the latest sign of life there. 
Fields upon fields of heavy-headed yellow grain lay rotting ungathered 
upon the ground. No one was at hand to take in their rich harvest. 

"As far as the eye could reach, they stretched away — they, sleeping 
too, in the hazy air of autumn. Only two portions of the city seemed to 
suggest the import of this mysterious solitude. On the eastern suburb, 
the houses looking out upon the country showed, by their splintered 

3^> : -e^E> 



9^o- -&S8 

14 A1N T SWEKS TO QUESTIONS. 

wood-work and walls battered to the foundation, that they had lately been 
the mark of a destructive cannonade. And in and around the splendid 
Temple, which had been the chief object of my admiration, armed men 
were barracked, surrounded by their stacks of musketry, and pieces of 
heavy ordnance. These challenged me to render an account of myself and 
why I had had the temerity to cross the water without a written permit 
from a leader of their band. 

"Though these men were generally, more or less under the influence of 
ardent spirits, after I had explained myself as a passing stranger, they 
seemed anxious to gain my good opinion. They told the story of the 
Dead City; that it had been a notable manufacturing and commercial 
mart, sheltering over 20,000 persons; that they had waged war with its in- 
habitants for several years, and had finally been successful only a few 
days before my visit, in an action fought in front of the ruined suburb; 
after which, they had driven them forth at the point of the sword. The 
defence, they said, had been obstinate, but gave way on the third day's 
bombardment. They boasted greatly of their prowess, especially in this 
battle, as they called it; but I discovered they were not of one mind as to 
certain of the exploits that had distinguished it, one of which, as I re- 
member, was, that they had slain a father and his son, a boy of fifteen, 
not long residents of the fated city, whom they admitted to have borne a 
character without reproach. 

"They also conducted me inside the massive sculptured walls of the 
curious Temple, in which they said the banished inhabitants were accus- 
tomed to celebrate the mystic rites of an unhallowed worship. They 
particularly poiuted outto me certain features of the building, which, hav- 
ing been the peculiar objects of a former superstitious regard, they had, as a 
matter of duty, sedulously defiled and defaced. The reputed sites of 
certain shrines they had thus particularly noticed; and various sheltered 
chambers, in one of which was a deep well, constructed, they believed, 
with a dreadful design. Beside these, they led me to see a large and deep- 
chisselled marble vase or basin, supported upon twelve oxen, also of 
marble, and of the size of life, of which they told some romantic stories. 
They said the deluded persons, most of whom were emigrants from a 
great distance, believed their Deity countenanced their reception here of 
a baptism of regeneration, as proxies for whomsoever they held in warm 
affection in the countries from which they had come. That here parents 
'went into the water' for their lost children, children for their parents, 
widows for their spouses, and young persons for their lovers ; that thus the 
Great Vase came to be for them associated with all dear and distant mem- 
ories, and was therefore the object, of all others in the building, to which 
they attached the greatest degree of idolatrous affection. On this account, 
the victors had so diligently desecrated it, as to render the apartment in 
which it was contained too noisome to abide in. 

"They permitted me also to ascend into the steeple, to see where it 
had been lightning-struck on the Sabbath before; and to look out, east 
and south, on w T asted farms like those I had seen near the city, extending 
till they were lost in the distance. Here, in the face of pure day, close to 
the scar of the divine wrath left by the thunderbolt, were fragments of 
food, cruses of liquor, and broken drinking vessels, with a bass drum and 
a steamboat signal bell, of which I afterwards learned the use with pain. 

"It was after nightfall, when I was ready to cross the river on my 
return. The wind had freshened since the sunset, and the water beating 
roughly into my little boat, I headed higher up the stream than the point 
I had left in the morning, and landed where a faint glimmering light 
invited me to steer. 

"Here, among the dock and rushes, sheltered only by the darkness, 
without roof between them and the sky, I came upon a crowd of several 
hundred human creatures, whom my movements roused from uneasy 
slumber upon the ground. 

"Passing these on my way to the light, I found it came from a tallow 
candle, in a paper funnel shade, such as is used by street vendors of 
apples and peanuts, and which, flaring and guttering away in the 



SBgNe- 




bleak air off the water, shone flickeringly on the emaciated features of a 
man in the last stage of a bilious, remittent fever. They had done their 
best for him. Over his head was something like a tent, made of a sheet 
or two and he rested on a but partially ripped open old straw mattress, 
with a'hair sofa cushion under his head for a pillow. His gaping jaw and 
^lazing eye told how short a time he would monopolize these luxuries; 
though a seemingly bewildered and excited person, who might have been 
his wife, seemed to find hope in occasionally forcing him to swallow, 
awkwardly-measured, slips of the tepid river water, from a burned and 
battered bitter-smelling tin coffee pot. Those who knew better had 
furnished the apothecary he needed; a toothless old bald-head, whose 
manner had the repulsive dullness of a man familiar with death scenes. 
He, so long as I remained, mumbled in his patient's ear a monotonous 
and melancholy prayer, between the pauses of which I heard the hiccup 
and sobbing of two little girls, who were sitting upon a piece of drift 
wood outside. 

"Dreadful, indeed, was the suffering of these forsaken beings; bowed 
and cramped by cold and sunburn; alternating as each weary day and 
night dragged on, they were, almost all of them, the crippled victims of 
disease. They were there because they had no homes, nor hospital, nor 
poor-house, nor friends to offer them any. They could not satisfy the 
feeble cravings of their sick; they had not bread to quiet the fiactious 
hunger-cries of their children. Mothers and babes, daughters and grand- 
parents, all of them alike, were bivouacked in tatters, wanting even 
covering to comfort those whom the sick shiver of fever were searching to 
the marrow. 

"These were Mormons, famishing in Lee county, Iowa, in the fourth 
week of the month of September, in the year of our Lord 1846. The city 
—it was Nauvoo, 111. The Mormons were the owners of that city, and 
the smiling country around. And those who had stopped their ploughs, 
who had silenced their hammers, their axes, their shuttles, and their 
workshop wheels; those who had put out their fires, who had eaten their 
food, spoiled their orchards, and trampled under foot their thousands of 
acres of unharvested bread; these were the keepers of their dwellings, the 
carousers in their Temple, whose drunken riot insulted the ears of their 
dying. 

"I think it was as I turned from the wretched night watch of which 
I have spoken, that I first listened to the sounds of revel of a party of the 
guard within the city. Above the distant hum of the voices of many, 
occasionally rose distinct the loud oath-tainted exclamation, and the 
falsely intonated scrap of vulgar song; but lest this requiem should go 
unheeded, every now and then, when their boisterous orgies strove to 
attain a sort of ecstatic climax, a cruel spirit of insulting frolic carried 
some of them up into the high belfry of the Temple steeple, and there, 
with the wicked childishness of inebriates, they whooped, and shrieked, 
and beat the drum that I had seen, and rang in charivaric unison their 
loud-tongued steam-boat bell. 

"They were, all told, not more than six hundred and forty persons 
who were thus lying on the river flats. But the Mormons in Nauvoo and 
its dependencies had been numbered the year before at over twenty 
thousand. Where were they? They had last been seen, carrying in 
mournful trains their sick and wounded, halt and blind, to disappear 
behind the western horizon, pursuing the phantom of another home. 
Hardly anything else was known of them: and people asked with 
curiosity, 'What had been their fate— what their fortunes ?' " 

The rear of the camp of the Saints that were driven out of 
Nauvoo encamped on the banks of the Mississippi, a very 
uncomfortable and distressing situation, where they were fre- 
quently annoyed by the firing of cannon from the opposite 
side of the river, many of the shot landing in the river, but 
occasionally some would pass over into the camp. One of 

c^o -e<Q% 



<^3 . -&&£ 

16 ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS. 

them, picked up in the camp, was sent as a present to the 
Governor of Iowa. 

PIONEERING JOURNEY. 

In the spring of 1847, President Brigham Young, with 142 
pioneers, started in search of a place of settlement. He was 
led by the inspiration of the Almighty, (for no one of the 
company knew anything of the country,) directly to Great 
Salt Lake Valley, where he and the company arrived on the 
24th day of July, having sought out and made a new road 650 
miles, and followed a trappers' trail nearly 400 miles. On the 
29th of July the Pioneers received additional strength by the 
arrival of Captain James Brown and a detachment of the 
battalion and a company of Saints from Mississippi, who 
wintered with the detachment on the Arkansas river. Seven 
of the detachment died on the route. 

SALT LAKE CITY. 

The population, being now about four hundred, the build- 
ing of Salt Lake City was commenced by the erection of a Fort, 
enclosing ten acres. 

The arrival of the Pioneers and this detachment of the 
battalion, all armed and carrying the flag of the United States, 
the commencement to build a fort and the hoisting of the stars 
and stripes (although this country at the time belonged to 
Mexico,) had a tendency to impress the wild tribes of the 
mountains with respect, and made it comparatively easy to 
promote friendly relations with them. 

The Twelve" Apostles organized Salt Lake City into a Stake 
of Zion, arid appointed John Smith, President; Charles C. Rich 
and John Young his cousellors; Tarlton Lewis, Bishop, and a 
High Council. This organization went into effect on the arrival 
of the immigrant companies in the Fall of 1847, when about 
700 wagons, laden with families, arrived on the site of Salt 
Lake City. 

The whole basin was so barren as to produce little besides 
a species of bunch grass, and the ground was covered with 
myriads of large, black crickets, which were the food of the 
Indians. In this desert place, the site of Salt Lake City was 
surveyed. 

Not a single person in the whole company had a full sup- 
ply of provisions, but all were on short rations. About one 
hundred, who had served in the "Mormon" Battalion, found 
their way here from California in the Winter, without pro- 
visions. 

RETURN OF THE PIONEERS. 

On the 25th of August, 1847, President Brigham Young 
and 107 others started on their return to Winter Quarters. At 
the South Pass, the Sioux Indians stole part of their animals, 3 



g^s ; -e^gt 



— __ ^ __ , —<*3i 

ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS. 17 

which compelled them to walk most of the way to the Missouri 
river, depending mostly upon such game as they could obtain 
by the way; and being without suitable horses for chasing the 
buffalo, the few obtained were generally old bulls, whose 
fiesh was of very poor quality and not sufficient in quantity to 
supply their wants. 

In the Fall of 1848, President Young arrived again in Salt 
Lake Valley with about eight hundred wagons. 

The crickets, during the season of 1848, came down from 
the mountains in myriads, and destroyed a great portion of 
the scanty crops; and, notwithstanding every effort was made 
to drive them off by means of bushes, long rods, etc., whole 
families and neighborhoods turning out en masse, until almost 
exhausted, the whole would have been destroyed, had not the 
Almighty, in his kindness, sent gulls in vast numbers, cover- 
ing every field, driving the crickets from the crops into the 
streams, and even into the door-yards, and devouring them 
until gorged, then vomiting them and devouring more. 

Notwitstanding the "Mormon" Battalion had been in the 
service of the United States, those of their families which were 
located at Winter Quarters, were required, by the Indian De- 
partment, in the Spring of 1848, to leave their cabins and 
recross the river into Iowa. Yet it was well known that they 
were only encamped there awaiting the return of their hus- 
bands, fathers and brothers, who had been discharged on the 
Pacific coast, without means of transportation or rations. 

GOLD DISCOVERED IN CALIFORNIA. 

In the Spring of 1848, some members of the "Mormon" 
Battalion discovered gold in California; thus opening to the 
world an unparalleled source of wealth and adventure. 

LOO TABERNACLE CONFERENCE. 

At a General Conference held in the log Tabernacle in De- 
cember, 1847, at Kanesville, (now Council Bluffs,) Iowa, the 
Saints acknowledged Brigham Young President of the Church 
of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and Heber C. Kimball 
and Williard Richards his counsellors. This action was con- 
firmed at the General Conference held in Salt Lake Valley 
after the companies arrived in the fall of 1848; John Smith 
was chosen Patriarch over the whole Church, and in Feb- 
ruary, 1849, Charles C. Rich, Lorenzo Snow, Erastus Snow and 
Franklin D. Richards were ordained to fill the Quorum of the 
Twelve Apostles. 

CHURCH AUTHORITIES— 1849. 

The Church authorities then stood as follows : Brigham 

Youncr, President; Heber C. Kimball and Willard Richards, 

counsellors; Orson Hyde, President of the Twelve Apostles; 

1 Parley P. Pratt, Orson Pratt, John Taylor, Wilford Woodruff 

jW — ^ -G^B 



i 



^e : ; cx^n 

IS ANSWEES TO QUESTIONS. 

George A. Smith, Amasa M. Lyman, Ezra T. Benson, Charles 
C. Rich, Lorenzo Snow, Erastns Snow and Franklin D. Richards, 
members of the Quorum of the Twelve; John Smith, Patriarch; 
Daniel Spencer, President of the Stake of Salt Lake, and 
Newel K. Whitney, Presiding Bishop. 

OEGAXIZATI02T AXD CAMP RULES, 

The companies for the plains were organized at the Elk 
Horn river, about 18 miles west of Winter Quarters, now 
Florence, Nebraska, into companies of hundreds, fifties and 
tens; each fifty was provided with a blacksmith and wagon 
maker with tools for repairing wagons and shoeing animals. 
Three hundred pounds of breadstuff were required for each 
person emigrating, and a good gun with 100 rounds of ammu- 
nition for each able-bodied man. Many cows were worked in 
the yoke. Each family was also required to take a due pro- 
portion of seed grain and agricultural implements. Every 
wagon, load and team was inspected by a committee, and none 
were allowed to start on the plains without the required outfit. 
A strict guard was kept over the cattle by night and day, also 
in the camps, which were formed in an oval shape, the inside 
making a corral for the stock. Pigs and poultry were carried 
in coops attached to the wagons. 

No person was allowed by the rules to wander about, not 
even to hunt game, except under special directions, and by 
these precautions, no person was lost and but few accidents oc- 
curred, and the loss of animals was small, although we 
traveled ten hundred and thirty-four miles, from the Missouri 
river to Salt Lake City, through an uninhabited and desert 
region. Saturday afternoon was usually occupied in washing, 
baking, repairing wagons and shoeing animals, and Sunday was 
a day of rest and worship. Morning and evening prayers and 
songs of praise were never omitted in the camps, and occasion- 
ally a dance was enjoyed, the companies generally being 
favored with musical talent. 

Thus the refining influences of society and civilization were 
continually felt and kept in view, and the moral status of the 
camps preserved inviolate through all the fatigues, hardships, 
exposures and vexatious annoyances of the entire journey. 

BEE AD EEG-UL ATIOXS. 

For about three years every head of a family issued his 
breadstuff in rations daily, varying from one -quarter to one 
pound per soul, according to the amount of provisions he had 
on hand; most of the time the rations were from one-half to 
three-fourths of a pound, sometimes accompanied with vege- 
tables and milk; but if without these, the bread was not in- 
creased, for it was necessary that it should be made to last 
until harvest. This order of things continued until the popu- 



ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS. 19 



:> 



]ation increased to 12,000, when in 1850 an abundant harvest 
put an end to the necessity of rationing. In 1855, most of the 
crops were destroyed by grasshoppers and drouth, compelling 
the people to subsist principally upon the surplus of previous 
years, and the adoption again of the system of rationing, 
which continued until the harvest of 1856. In addition to the 
loss of crops by grasshoppers, vast numbers of cattle died in 
consequence of the severity of the winter of 1855-6, materially 
lessening the quantity of food. During these periods great 
numbers of gold hunters en route for California came into the 
valley destitute of food, who were fed and aided on their way 
from our scanty supplies. In all these times of scarcity, mea- 
sures were taken to supply those who were unable to furnish 
themselves. Fast days were proclaimed in all the congrega- 
tions on the first Thursday of each month, and the food saved 
in that way distributed among the poor; and thousands of 
persons who had an abundance of bread put their families on 
rations, so as to save the same for those who could not other- 
wise obtain it. And so wise and liberal were the regulations 
during these periods of scarcity incident upon settling the Ter- 
ritory, that no one perished or even suffered materially for the 
want of food, and all were remarkably healthy. 

CIVIL GOVERNMENT. — STATE OF DESERET. 

In March, 1849, a Provisional Government was organized, 
and a State Constitution adopted by a convention under the 
name of "The State of Deseret." A delegate, Almon W. 
Babbit, was sent to Congress with a petition for admission into 
the Union. At the first general election, a Governor, Secretary, 
Chief Justice and two Associates, Marshal, Attorney General, 
Assessor and Collector, Treasurer and Magistrates were elected. 

Under the Provisional Government of the State of Deseret, 
and before the Territorial Organic Act passed, the counties of 
Salt Lake, Davis, Weber, Utah, Sanpete and Iron were organ- 
ized, and the cities of Salt Lake, Ogden, Provo, Manti and 
Parowan were incorporated. Bridges were constructed across 
the Weber, Ogden and Provo rivers, and two across the Jordan 
river; new valleys were explored and roads opened into various 
parts of the State, all of which were free from toll, although 
costing an immense amount of labor, in consequence of the 
rugged features of the country, the great difficulty in getting 
timber, and the scarcity of saw mills. 

Although the country was one of the most barren by nature 
ever inhabited by man, scarcely a tree or a bush growing below 
the snow line without irrigation, and isolated about one hun- 
dred days with ox trains, no colony ever progressed with more 
equal and uniform rapidity. 

TERRITORY OF UTAH. 

September 9th, 1850, an act of Congress providing for the 

Bi^a- — - ■ — -e/9tg 



i 




-e^g 

ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS. 

organization of the Territorial government of Utah was ap- 
proved; Sec. 7 of which declares the laws of the United States 
to be in force in Utah as far as applicable. The Judges of the 
Supreme Court did not enter upon their duties until 1853. 

Brigham Young was appointed Governor of Utah by Pre- 
sident Millard Fillmore, and continued in office until the arri- 
val of Alfred Cumming, in April, 1858, and performed the 
duties of that office to the entire satisfaction of the inhabitants, 
who unanimously desired his re-appointment. 

SETTLEMENT OF COUNTIES. 

Salt Lake County was settled by President Brigham 
Young and pioneers who entered Salt Lake Valley, July 24th, 
1817. They erected a fort of logs and sun-dried bricks, en- 
closing ten acres of land, now known as the "old fort" block, 
in the Sixth Ward of Salt Lake City. 

Davis County by Peregrine Sessions, in the Spring of 1848. 
He located at Bountiful. 

Weber County by Captain James Brown, in the Spring of 
1848. He purchased some shanties and a Mexican grant of 
land from Miles Goodyear, an Indian trader, on the site of 
Ogden City. 

Utah County by John and Isaac Higbee and thirty others, 
who built a picket fort near the site of Provo City, in the 
Spring of 1849. 

Tooele County by John Rowberry and others in 1849. 

Sanpete County by a company under the guidance of 
Isaac Morley, Seth Taft and Charles" Shumway, who entered 
that valley in November, 1849, and located at Manti. 

December 8th, 1850, thirty families left Salt Lake City, in- 
cluding one hundred and eighteen men, with six hundred head 
of stock and one hundred and one wagons, led by Elder 
George A. Smith; and in January following arrived at, and 
settled the County of Iron, by building a fort at Parowan. 

Millard County in the Fall of 1851, by Anson Call and 
thirty families. 

Box Eider County by Simeon A. Carter and others, in 1851. 

Carson County (now" in the State of Nevada,) by Col. John 
Reese, in 1851, and in 1855 by missionaries from Salt Lake 
Valley, under the direction of Hon. Orson Hyde, when the 
county was organized. 

Juab County in the Fall of 1852, by Joseph L. Hey wood 
and George W. Bradley, who located at Nephi. 

Washington County in the Spring of 1852, by a ranch on 
Ash Creek, (now in Kane County.) The cotton region of the 
county by Jacob Hamblin, at Santa Clara, in 1855, Joseph 
Horn , at Heberville, in 1857, Robert D. Covington and thirty- 
three others, at Washington, in 1857, and Joshua T. Willis, at 
Toquer, (now in Kane County,) in the Spring of 1858. 

g^e- — -e^ 



s 



:^e- ^ ~^*3£ 

y ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS. 21 

Summit County in 1853, by Samuel Snyder, Esq., who 
built saw mills in Parley's Park. 

Green River County, now included in Wyoming Territory, 
by President Brigham Young, who purchased of James Brid- 
ger, a Mexican grant for thirty miles of land and some cabins, 
known as Port Bridger, for which he paid eight thousand dol- 
lars in gold; the deeds of this property are still in his 
possession. He erected a stone fort and corrals for the protec- 
tion of animals, and made other improvements on the ranch, 
expending about $8,000 more. 

In November, 1853, John ISTebeker and a company of 
thirty -nine brethren, also Isaac Bullock and another company, 
numbering flfty-tbree men, left Salt Lake and Utah counties 
and located at Fort Supply, in Green River County. They 
built houses, fenced and broke up land, and planted crops. 

In 1857, the United States army, under General Johnson, 
took possesion of Fort Bridger in the name of the United States, 
and declared it to be a military reservation. The reservation 
was also extended over the settlement and farming lands of 
Fort Supply, the county seat. 

Alfred Cumming, then Governor of Utah, made an 
attempt to restore the property to the citizens who had been 
dispossessed by military authority but his efforts were unsuc- 
cessful, having been overruled by John B. Floyd, then Secre- 
tary of War. The loss and damage sustained by these 
pioneers, were about $300,000. 

Morgan County by Jedediah M. Grant and Thomas Thurs- 
ton, in the Spring of 1855. 

Cache County in 1856, by Peter Maughan and others, at 
Wellsville. 

Beaver County in 1856, by Simeon Howd and thirteen 
others from Parowan. 

Kane County in the Fall of 1858, by Nephi Johnson and 
six others, who located at Yirgen City. 

Rich County in 1863, By Elder Charles C. Rich and many 
others. 

Wahsatch County by twenty men from Provo and Spanish 
and American Forks. 

TERRITORIAL LEGISLATURE AND CONVENTIONS. 

At the first session of the Territorial Legislature, held in 
1851-2, in Salt Lake City, memorials to Congress were adopted 
praying for the construction of a National Central Railroad, 
and also a telegraph line from the Missouri river, via Salt Lake 
City, to the Pacific. 

The Legislature continued to memorialize Congress from 
time to time on these subjects, until a telegraph line was es- 
tablished, connecting the Atlantic and the Pacific coasts and 




o4 



§ 



%€^>- cxgrj? 

22 ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS. \ 

the great National Central Railroad, so long desired, is now 
completed. 

The following Memorial was signed by Governor Brigham 
Young: 

MEMORIAL TO CONGRESS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION 
OF A GREAT NATIONAL CENTRAL RAILROAD TO 
THE PACIFIC COAST. 

Approved March 3d, 1852. 

To the Honorable, the Senate and House of Representatives of the United 
States, in Congress assembled. 

Your memorialists, the Governor and Legislative Assembly of the 
Territory of Utah, respectfully pray your honorable body, to provide for 
the establishment of a national central railroad from some eligible point 
on the Mississippi or Missouri rivers, to San Diego, San Francisco, Sacra- 
mento or Astoria, or such other point on or near the Pacific coast, as the 
wisdom of your honorable body may dictate. 

Your memorialists respectfully state, that the immense emigration to 
and from the Pacific, requires the immediate attention, guardian care, and 
fostering assistance of the greatest and most liberal government on the 
earth. Your memorialists are of opinion that not less than five thousand 
American citizens have perished on the different routes within the last 
three years, for the want of proper means of transportation; that an eligible 
route can be obtained, your memorialists have no doubt, being extensively 
acquainted with the country. We know that no obstruction exists 
between this point and San Diego, and that iron, coal, timber, stone, and 
other materials exist in various places on the route; and that the settle- 
ments of this Territory are so situated, as to amply supply the builders of 
said road with materials and provisions for a considerable portion of the 
route, and to carry on an extensive trade after the road is completed. 

Your memorialists are of opinion that the mineral resources of Cali- 
fornia, and these mountains, can never be fully developed to the benefit of 
the people of the United States, without the construction of such a road; 
and, upon its completion, the entire trade of China and the East Indies 
will pass through the heart of the Union, thereby giving our citizens the 
almost entire control of the Asiatic and Pacific trade; pouring into the lap 
of the American States, the millions that are now diverted through other 
commercial channels: and last, though not least, the road herein proposed 
would be a perpetual chain, or iron band, which would effectually hold 
together our glorious Union with an imperishable identity of mutual in- 
terest; thereby, consolidating our relations with foreign powers in times 
of peace and our defence from foreign invasion by the speedy transmission 
of troops and supplies, in times of war. 

The earnest attention of Congress to this important subject is solicited 
by your memorialists, who, in duty bound, will ever pray. 

The Territorial Legislature in December, ISoo, passed an 
act providing for holding a convention to form and adopt a 
Constitution for the Territory, with a view to its admission into 
the Union as a State. 

The convention met in March and adopted a Constitution, 
under the name and style of "The State of Deseret," and a 
memorial to Congress, which were submitted to the people and 
unanimously approved, and were presented to Congress by the 
Delegate, Hon. John M. Bernhisel. 

In 1862, another convention was held, which re-adopted, 
with slight amendments, the Constitution of 1856, which was { 




fe^- 



AXSWERS TO QUESTIONS. 



23 



s 



again submitted to the people and approved. A State govern- 
ment was organized, and the General Assembly met and elected 
Hons. George Q. Cannon and William H. Hooper, Senators to 
Congress, who went to Washington and endeavored, un success- 



i 



fully, to gain admission as a State. 

DELEGATES IN CONGRESS. 

The Territorial Delegate from 1851 to 1859 and from 1861 
to 1863 was Hon. John M. Bernhisel; from 1863 to 1865, Hon. 
John F. Kinney; from 1859 to 1861, and from 1869 to 1872, 
Hon. William H. Hooper, who is the present Delegate. 

AREA, AGRICTLTURE, ETC., OF UTAH. 

Utah extends from the 37th parallel of north latitude to 
the 42nd, and from the 109th to the 114th degree of longitude. 
The area is about 70,000 square miles. The proportion of land 
susceptible of cultivation is very small, the general character 
of the Territory being that of mountain and desert. The Ag- 
ricultural Society in 1866, reported about 134,000 acres under 
cultivation. Some tracts of land, apparently fine, rich soil, of 
superior quality, fail to produce crops, owing to the super- 
abundance of alkali and other mineral substances, which 
encrust the surface of the earth. The agriculture of the 
country is carried on at a heavy expense, incurred by irrigation, 
the land having generally to be watered several times to pro- 
duce wheat and barley, and oftener for Indian corn and roots. 

The necessity of irrigation entails a continual expense 
upon the agriculturist in cleaning out ditches and canals and 
repairing dams. On much of the soil, the ditches have to be 
cleaned out twice a year. Good wheat, corn and vegetables 
may be produced in abundance, if carefully irrigated. 

The following table of the expense of the main irrigating 
canals, and the amount of land irrigated by the same, and 
agricultural statistics for 1865, serve to show, although very 
incomplete, the cost, as also the success, attending agricul- 
tural industry in Utah. 

Number of canals, 277; total length, in rods, 333,862; 
cost of construction, including dams, £1,766,939; number of 
acres irrigated, 153,949; estimated cost of canals in pro- 
gress, §877,730. 





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| 24 ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS. 

In 1869 about 115 saw and 90 grist mills were in operation, 
and three woolen and three cotton mills. 

PUBLIC BUILDINGS. 

Amongst the public buildings there are the Deseret 
State House, erected in 1849-50, in Salt Lake City, which has 
been occupied by the Legislature for about sixteen years, and 
is now used by the Deseret University. The Utah Territorial 
House, at Fillmore City. The Tabernacle in Salt Lake City, a 
building 64x158, arched, without a column. The New Taber- 
nacle, 150x250, 80 feet high, oval in form, without a column, 
built on stone pillars 20 feet high, the roof being a lattice-work 
of red pine timber, and with gallery, will contain 12,000 
people. The organ in course of erection in this edifice is 
second to none in the United States, in appearance and sweet- 
ness of tone, and is exceeded in size by but one. It was con- 
structed entirely by Utah mechanics, under the direction of 
Elder Joseph Ridges. A small amount of material was im- 
ported; the principal part thereof was produced at home. To 
hear the melody of the organ richly repays a visit to the 
Tabernacle. "The front towers of the great organ have an alti- 
tude of fifty eight feet, and contain the thirty-two feet gilded 
pipes; the side towers are nearly the same height as the front. 

It has the following stops: — Bourdon; open diapason; 
stopped diapason; principal; dulciana: Hohl fiute; trumpet; 
twelfth; fiute harmonic; fiute a cheminee; fifteenth; mixture. 

Swell Organ. — Open diapason; stopped diapason; prin- 
cipal; lieblich gedacht, 16 feet; bourdon; claribella; clari 
fiute; hautboy; cromorne; vox humana; stopped fiute; piccolo; 
mixture. 

Choie Oegan. —Bourdon; lieblich gedacht, 4 feet; bell 
gamba; gemshorn; melodia; stopped diapason; faggotti; fu- 
gara; flute d' amore; claribella flute; piccolo; solo melodia. 

Pedal Oegan. — Open diapason, 32 feet; open diapason, 
16 feet; dulciana, 16 feet; Bourdon, 16 feet; trombone, 16 
feet; principal bass, 8 feet. 

The organ is 30 feet by 33, and requires four blowers. 

J. H Ridges, Builder." 

The Court House is a well finished building, 40x55. 

The City Hall, 60x60, built of stone, at a cost of $75,000, 
with clock and bell. 

The Theatre (including addition) is 80 by 172 feet, 46 feet 
high inside. 

There are many imposing edifices in the settlements, 
principally meeting houses and county buildings. 

EDUCATIONAL. 

University: — The annual catalogue of the Deseret Univer- 
city for the academical year 1870-1, issued lately, shows 225 



#€^ -e*g$ 



jjte ■ -e^gpO 

/ ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS. 25 \ 

students in attendance, to which is attached a Model School — 
primary department, in which there are 355 pupils enrolled, 
total 580. One of the principal objects of the Institution has 
been to qualify students to become professional teachers. 

The Book of Mormon has been published in the Deseret 
character, under the auspices of the University. 



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AXSWEKS TO QUESTIONS. 



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(j ANSWEES TO QUESTIONS. 27 

Tlie public lands donated by Congress to Territories, are 
not available until they become States, hence there is no public 
school fund. Schools, however, are generously supported by 
the people. 

Salt Lake City is divided into twenty -one school districts, 
with a good public school-house in each, some districts having 
three or four schools; besides which are private schools and 
two academies, and two commercial colleges. 

NEWSPAPERS. 

The" Deseret News," Weekly, Semi-Weekly and Daily, 
edited by George Q. Cannon. The " Juvenile Instructor," 
Semi-Monthly, also edited by George Q. Cannon. The "Salt 
Lake Herald," Daily and Semi-Weekly, edited and published 
by John T. Caine, E. L Sloan and W. C. Dunbar, are pub- 
lished in Salt Lake City. The "Utah Pomologist," and the 
"St. George Juvenile" are published at St. George, Washington 
Co., and the "Ogden Junction," an ably edited Semi -Weekly 
newspaper, is published at Ogden; C. W. Penrose, editor. 

DEMISE AND SUCCESSION OF LEADING- AUTHORITIES. 

Newel K. Whitney, presiding Bishop, died in Salt Lake 
City, Sept. 23, 1850. Edward Hunter was appointed his suc- 
cessor. 

Elder Willard Richards, one of the First Presidency, 
Church Historian and Editor of the "Deseret News," died at 
his residence in Salt Lake City on the 11th of March, 1854, and 
was succeeded by Elder Jedediah Morgan Grant, as Second 
Counselor to President Young. 

Patriarch John Smith died May 23d, 1854, at his re- 
sidence in Salt Lake City, and was succeeded by John Smith, 
(son of Hyrum,) who was set apart to the office of Patriarch, 
Feb. 18th, 1855. 

Elder Jedediah Morgan Grant died December 1st, 1856, at 
his residence in Salt Lake City, and on the 4th day of January, 
1857, Elder Daniel H. Wells was chosen to fill the vacancy 
thus caused in the quorum of the First Presidency. 

In the spring of 1867, Elder Amasa M. Lyman "was 
dismissed from the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles," for 
preaching false doctrine. 

October 6th, 1867, Elder Joseph F. Smith was set apart, 
(having been previously ordained an Apostle,) under the 
hands of the first Presidency and Twelve. 

Elder Heber Chase Kimball, First Counselor to President 
Young, died June 22, 1868, at his residence in Salt Lake City, 
and at the conference of October 6th, 1868, Elder George 
Albert Smith was appointed to succeed Elder Kimball in the 
office of First Counselor to President Young. 

Elder Brigham Young, Jr., was chosen by the Conference 



C°o 



€>e -e^ 



■S 



and set apart by the First Presidency and Twelve to fill the 
vacancy in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles Oct. 7th, 1868. 

Elder Ezra Taft Benson, one of the Twelve Apostles, died 
suddenly at Ogden, September 3, 1869. 

Elder Albert Carrington, who was then in England pre- 
siding over the European Mission, was chosen by the voice of 
the Conference, October 8th, 1869, to fill the vacancy, and he 
was ordained and set apart to that office July 3d, 1870, under 
the hands of the First Presidency and Twelve, in Salt Lake 
City. 

Daniel Spencer was set apart as President of this Stake 
of Zion, February 13, 1849. He died in Salt Lake City, Dec 
13, 1868. John W. Young was appointed his successor. 

HS-DIAIS" 0UTEAGES. 

The course adopted towards the Indians in Utah has been 
the peaceful policy of feeding and clothing, in preference to 
fighting them. A vast amount of labor and means have been 
expended in locating farms, supplying implements and teach- 
ing the art of husbandry to the Indians throughout the 
Territory, which has been a very heavy tax upon the people. 

Almost every difficulty which has existed or arisen 
between the citizens of the Territory and the Indians has been 
the result of reckless and barbarous treatment by emigrants 
passing through the Territory, or indiscreet and foolish persons 
residing therein. 

A portion of the Utes located in Utah valley became 
hostile in the Winter of 1849-50, in consequence of one 
of their number being killed, which was unknown to the 
authorities of the Provisional State for some time. This war 
resulted in the death of Joseph Higbee, the wounding of 
several others, the expenditure of thousands of dollars in a 
campaign, suspension of labor, and stock driven off or des- 
troyed. In the Fall of 1850, the Indians in the northern part 
of the Territory were also hostile from similar causes. A 
party of emigrants from Missouri, who were encamped on the 
Malad, shot several squaws who were crossing the stream on 
horseback, and took their horses; they then continued their 
journey westward. When this fact came to the knowledge of 
the warriors, they made a descent upon the northern settle- 
ments, killing Mr. Campbell, who was engaged in erecting a 
mill. In a short time a company of volunteers were on the 
spot, and ascertaining the cause of the difficulty, through some 
friendly Indians, succeeded in restoring peace by paying the 
Indians for the squaws who had been killed and the horses 
that had been taken off, and by this means avoided further 
bloodshed. 

In 1853, a person named Ivey, in a passion, struck an In- 
dian, which resulted in his death. A war ensued, which con- 
fee- -e^ 



i 




ANSWEES TO QUESTIONS. 29 

tinued about one year, in which a number of persons were 
killed. Several flourishing settlements on the frontiers had to 
be abandoned and were burned by the Indians. In this war 
several mountaineers and traders took a lively part in aiding 
the Indians with ammunition and supplies. 

The murder of Capt. J. W. Gunnison and party by the 
Pahvantes, which occurred in November, 1853, was the direct 
result of the conduct of a party of emigrants from the States, 
on their way to California, who killed a Pahvant© Indian and 
wounded two others at Corn Creek, a short time previously; 
according to the Indian rule of revenge, the massacre of the 
next white men found on their grounds was the consequence. 

In the settlement of new valleys, President Brigham Young 
and the leading authorities of the Church have invariably 
counseled the settlers to build forts and locate themselves in 
sufficient numbers and in such a manner that when the 
Indians were disposed, to commit depredations they would be 
able to secure their families and their stock. 

April 9th, 1865, several Indians visited Manti, Sanpete 
County; they wanted to have a big talk, and boasted of having 
killed fifteen head of cattle within a few days, and got into a 
quarrel with some of the citizens. 

Next day, several of the citizens of Manti rode out to the 
range to find if the boasts of the Indians about killing their 
cattle were true, when they were confronted by the Indians, 
who fired upon them, killing a young man named Peter Lud- 
vicksen. The Indians retired up Salt Creek Canon into Sevier 
County, where they found Elijah B. Ward and James Ander- 
son in charge of "cattle, whom they also killed. A party 
started on the 12th in pursuit of the Indians and the cattle 
which they had taken with them. This party was overpowered 
by the Indians, and two of their number, William Kearnes 
and Jens Sorensen, were killed. 

May 26th, the Indians made a descent upon a family 
named Given, in Thistle Valley, twelve miles from Fairview, 
in Sanpete County, and massacred the father, mother, and four 
children, having the evening previous killed Jens Larsen. On 
the 29th they also killed David H. Jones. 

In July, Robert Gillespie and Anthony Robinson were 
killed and several citizens wounded. 

These Indian massacres, which were generally accompan- 
ied by raids on cattle, rendered it necessary for the inhabitants 
of Sanpete, Sevier, Piute, Millard, Iron, Beaver, Kane and 
Washington Counties to guard their stock with mounted, 
armed men. 

In January, 1866, a band of Indians made a descent upon 
the Pipe Spring Ranch, in Kane County, killing J. M. Whit- 
more, the proprietor, and Robert Mclntire, and robbing the 
Q ranch of cattle and sheep. The ranch of Pahreah was also 



i 



I 



robbed, and besieged for several months. Peter Shirts barri- 
caded his house, and by strategy and unceasing vigilance, with 
the aid of his family, managed to evade the blow aimed at 
him until relieved by Captain James Andrus and a company 
of mounted volunteers from Grafton. 

April 2d. Kobert Berry and wife, with his brother Joseph, 
were waylaid and massacred at Short Creek, Kane County. 

On the 22d, Albert Lewis was killed, and three persons 
wounded, near Marys vale, Piute Comity; and on the 29th, 
Thomas Jones was killed and Win. Avery wounded at Fair- 
view, in Sanpete County. On the 10th of June, the Indians 
made a raid on Round Valley, driving away three hundred 
head of cattle and horses and killing Father James Ivey and 
Henry Wright. On the 24th, Charles Brown was killed and 
Thomas Snarr wounded in Thistle Valley; and while recover- 
ing the horses and cattle driven off from "the Spanish Fork pas- 
ture, John Edmiston, of Manti, was killed, and A. Dimick, of 
Spanish Fork, badly wounded. 

Early in 1867, the continued hostile intentions of the In- 
dians were announced in the massacre of James P. Petersen, 
his wife and daughter, near ' Glenwood , Sevier County, who 
were mutilated in the most horrible manner. The vigilance of 
the militia of these counties, assisted by detachments from 
counties as far north as Salt Lake and Davis, so far held the 
Indians in check that during the entire year there were only 
three other citizens killed, and three of the militia, viz.: Lewis 
Lund, James Meek and Andrew Johansen, and Major John 
W. Vance, Sergeant Heber C. Houtz and Private John Hay. 

In consequence of these Indian raids and massacres, the 
Counties of Piute and Sevier were entirely abandoned, as well 
as the settlements of Berry sville, Winsor, Upper and Lower 
Kanab, Shunesburg, Springdale and Northup, and many 
ranches in Kane County, also the settlements of Pang witch 
and Fort Sandford, in Iron County. 

FOREIGN MISSIONS. 

Joseph Smith, the Prophet, enjoined upon the Twelve 
Apostles that they should preach the gospel to all the nations 
of the earth, and wherever they could not go, to send the 
same, that all nations might be faithfully warned of the res- 
toration of the everlasting gospel in all its purity and fulness 
for the salvation of mankind, and the near advent of the Mes- 
siah, preparatory to the introduction of His reign of righteous- 
ness upon the earth. 

England. — In June, 1837, Elders Heber C. Kimball, Or- 
son Hyde, Willard Richards, Joseph Fielding and three others, 
went to England and opened the door of the gospel to Great 
Britain, commencing their labors in Preston, Lancashire, and 
extended them to different parts of the kingdom $ where they 



^o e^ 



/ ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS. 31 

baptized about fifteen hundred persons. Elders Kimball and 
Hyde returned to America in April, 1838, leaving Elders 
Joseph Fielding and Willard Eicliards in charge of the 
Mission. 

In 1840, President Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, 
Parley P. Pratt, Orson Pratt, John Taylor, Wilford Woodruff, 
and George A. Smith, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, 
proceeded to England and ordained Willard Richards an 
apostle, he having been previously called to that office by 
revelation. They preached one year and fourteen days, and 
established branches of the Church in many of the principal 
cities from London to Edinburgh. They established a printing 
office and an emigration agency, published the Book of Mor- 
mon, Doctrine and Covenants and Hymn Book, and issued sixty 
thousand pamphlets and the first volume of the Millennial 
Star. Seven of the Apostles returned, leaving Elder Parley 
P. Pratt to preside -over the Mission. V 

Palestine. — In 1841, Elder Orson Hyde went on a mission 
to Jerusalem. He remained in Bavaria until he acquired the 
German language, and published a pamphlet, which he was 
not allowed to circulate openly. He traveled through the 
Austrian and Turkish empires, visiting Jerusalem; finding the 
laws of all these countries so proscriptive as to prevent him 
from publishing or preaching the Gospel, he returned to 
Nauvoo in 1842. 

Pacific Isles. — In October, 1843, Elders Noah Rogers, 
Addison Pratt, Ben. F. Grouard and Knowlton F. Hanks, 
started on a mission to the Pacific Isles. Elder Phillip B. 
Lewis paid their passage as a donation to the Mission. Knowl- 
ton F. Hanks died of consumption and was buried in the sea; 
the other three reached the society Islands, and were success- 
ful in establishing the Gospel, and in baptizing upwards of 
twelve hundred of the natives. Elder James S. Brown, Alva 

Hanks, Whittaker and others subsequently followed to 

these islands, and continued their labors with commendable 
zeal and uniform success until the establishment of the French 
Protectorate; after which the French authorities expelled the 
Elders from the Islands > and prohibited them from ever re- 
turning, and compelled the native converts to discontinue their 
worship. This occurred in the year 1851. 

Notwithstanding the constant scenes of persecution and 
the distress incident thereto, which the Saints in Illinois en- 
dured, after the return of the Twelve from England, Elders 
were constantly sent to preside over the conferences abroad, 
strengthen and encourage the native Elders and extend the 
work of the ministry. 

Elder Wilford Woodruff went to England in 1844, and pre- 
sided over the British Mission. Upon the exodus of the Church 
from Nauvoo, he returned in 1846; when Elders Orson Hyde, 




■e^ 



i 



tee- re^fl 

(j 32 ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS. \ 

Parley P. Pratt and John Taylor were sent to England. They 
returned early in 1847 to Council Bluffs, where they found the 
Saints encamped. 

At the October Conference, in 1849, several of the Twelve 
Apostles and other Elders were sent on missions. 

France,— Elder John Taylor visited Paris and established 
a small branch of the Church, and had the Book of Mormon 
translated into the French language, and published an edition 
of the same, but the stringency of the laws prohibited public 
meetings and measurably tied his hands. He also published 
a volume of a periodical entitled Etoile du Deseret. The work 
was continued in France by Elders C. E. Bolton and L. E. 
Bertrand until the latter was prohibited by the Prefect of Police 
from preaching the Gospel or attending meetings. 

Germany. — Elder Taylor also visited Hamburg, and pro- 
cured the translation and publication of the Book of Mormon 
in the German language, and a few numbers of a periodical 
entitled Zion's Panier. In Germany, the mission was contin- 
ued by Elder Daniel Cam, until expelled by the authorities of 
the free city of Hamburg. Subsequently Elders George C. 
Riser, J. F. Secrist and George Mayer were imprisoned and ex- 
pelled the Confederation for attempting to preach. 

Switzerland and Italy. — Elder Lorenzo Snow proceeded 
to Switzerland and Italy, and established branches of the 
Church and published the Book of Mormon in the Italian lan- 
guage, also pamphlets in the Italian and French languages. 
In these labors he was assisted by Elder Joseph Toronto, from 
Utah, and Elder Jabez Woodard, from the British mission. 
Subsequently, the Swiss mission was continued by Elders 
Daniel Tyler and John L. Smith. Elder Tyler commenced the 
publication of the Darsteller in the German language, which 
was continued by Elder John L. Smith, on his first mission. 
On his last mission Elder Smith published The Reform in 
German. He also translated and published, in the French 
language, Elder Parley P. Pratt's Marriage and Morals in 
Utah. An edition of the Book of Mormon in German was also 
published from the stereotype plates. Some of the Cantons 
would not allow publishing, but allowed preaching; others 
prohibited preaching, but would allow publishing, and some 
would not allow either. 

Scandinavia. — Elder Erastus Snow arrived in Copenhagen, 
Denmark, in June, 1850, and in September, a branch of the 
Church was organized, which numbered fifty members. Elder 
Snow was accompanied by Elders P. O. Hansen and John E. 
Forsgren ; the latter proceeded to Sweden and endeavored to in- 
troduce the work there, but was summarily banished. In 1851, 
Elder Snow had the Book of Mormon translated and com- 
menced the publication of the Sfcandinaviens Stjerne. He 
$ also baptized and ordained three mechanics from Iceland, and 

gNB- : -ex9t5 



cj 



qg/3 — e\gr£ 

5 ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS. 33 

sent them to their native land to preach the Gospel. In Feb- 
ruary, 1852, the Book of Doctrine and Covenants and a large 
edition of the Hymn Book were published, also a pamphlet of 
fifty pages, entitled A Voice from the Land of Zion. 

The work soon gained foothold in Sweden, and Elders 
were also sent to Norway, the last named experienced bitter 
persecution at the hands of the authorities of the government, 
for notwithstanding the law guaranteed full protection to all 
Christian dissenters from the established Church, (the Lutheran) 
in order to render its provisions inoperative towards the Saints, 
the archbishops met in council and decided that the Mormons 
or Latter-day Saints were not a Christian sect. From that 
time until the present any Elder of the church who is com- 
plained of before a magistrate and found guilty of administer- 
ing any of the ordinances of the gospel in Norway is punish- 
ed by fine or imprisonment or both. 

This infamous ruling of the Archbishops remains to this day 
unchallenged, we are not aware that a single priest of the estab- 
lished Church has had the moral courage and honesty to enter 
his protest against it, and the petitions of the saints to the 
Storthing (Parliament) on the subject have been passed by in 
silence. 

In Denmark the law guaranteed full toleration to all religious 
denominations, but their was considerable persecution in the 
form of mobs who were encouraged by the priests and winked 
at by the magistrates. 

In Sweden there was no religious toleration guaranteed by 
law and the laws were rigorous against all dissenters, but 
the moral sentiment of the people was in favor of the free ex- 
ercise of religious faith so much so that very seldom was there 
found a man so depraved as to enter a complaint before a 
magistrate against any of the saints for the exercise of their reli- 
gion, although the priests were very bitter and in some 
instances very unmanly in their opposition. But the work 
flourished, the "Voice of Warning" by P. P. Pratt was trans- 
lated and published, and also very many pamphlets and tracts, 
by which means the principles of our faith were widely circu- 
lated. The mission from the beginning has been kept up by 
sending Elders from Utah, and keeping a number of native 
Elders in the field. 

It is supposed that the Gospel has been more extensively 
preached in the kingdom of Denmark, in proportion to the 
population, and that a larger percentage of the people have re- 
ceived it, than any other nation of the present day. Since the 
incorporation of Schleswig-Holstein into Prussia, preaching the 
Gospel has been rigidly suppressed in those principalities. 

Chili.— In 1851, Elders Parley P. Pratt and Kufus Allen 
went on a mission to Chili, where they remained several 
months, not having the opportunity of even teaching in private, 




o4 



34 ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS. \ 

except in violation of the most rigid laws. They were obliged 
to return to California, where Elder Pratt continued to preach 
and publish until he returned to Utah. 

Australia. — In 1840, Elder Gfeo. A. Smith ordained Wil- 
liam Barrett an Elder, at Burslem, England, and set him apart 
to a mission in South Australia. Elder Barrett proceeded 
thither and commenced teaching the principles of the Gospel 
and was enabled to sow the good seed which afterwards bore 
fruit, 

Elder John Murdock arrived in Sydney, Australia, in 
October, 1851, and commenced to preach and publish concerning 
ing the Latter-day Work, and in January, 1852, organized a 
branch of the Church in Sydney, and published a pamphlet 
on the persecutions endured by the Latter-day Saints, and a 
periodical entitled, Ziorts Watchman. 

Elders Augustus Farnham, William Hyde, Burr Frost, 
Josiah W. Fleming and others landed at Sydney early in 
1853. These missionaries extended their "labors to Van 
Dieman's Land and New Zealand, and continued the publica- 
tion of Ziorts Watchman. 

Prussia. — In January, 1853, Elders Orson Spencer and 
Jacob Houtz arrived in Berlin, Prussia, but found that it was 
impossible to preach or publish the truth of the Latter-day 
Work in consequence of religious intoleration. These Elders 
wrote to the King's Minister of Public Worship for permission 
to preach, but were immedialely summoned before the police 
court and catechised as to the object of their mission. They 
were ordered to leave the kingdom next morning, under 
penalty of transportation. 

Gibraltar. — Elders Edward Stevenson and N. T. Porter 
arrived in Gibraltar in March, 1853, and were immediately 
summoned to appear before the police and establish their right 
to remain on the Rock. Elder Porter was required to leave, 
but Elder Stevenson having been born there maintained his 
right to remain, but the Governor forbade his preaching "Mor- 
monism." He, however, remained over a year and baptized 
several, amidst threats, prohibitions and constant opposition. 
He also endeavored to open up the work in Spain, but was not 
permitted by the authorities. 

Hindostan. — Elders Nathaniel V. Jones, Robert Skelton, 
Samuel A. Woolley, William Fotheringham, Richard Ballan- 
tyne, Truman Leonard, Amos Milton Musser, Robert Owen and 
William F. Carter arrived in Calcutta and held a Conference 
there April 29th, 1853. The Hindostanee missionaries ex- 
tended their labors throughout India, as the way opened; but 
finding the Hindostanees destitute of honesty and integrity, in- 
somuch that when converted and baptized they would for a few 
pice join any other religion, and rinding the Europeans so 
aristocratic that they were hardly approachable, they left the 



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ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS. 35 



S 



country, after having travelled to all the principal stations in 
India, where frequently they were ordered out of the canton- 
ments and had to sleep in the open air, exposed to that sickly 
climate, to poisonous reptiles and to wild beasts. Elder William 
Willes, from England, had travelled up the Ganges and visited 
Simla, and Elder Hugh Findlay, from the British mission, la- 
bored in Bombay and the adjacent country. 

Cliina. — Elders Hosea Stout, Chapman Duncan and James 
Lewis reached Hong Kong, China, April 27th, 1853, but owing 
to the revolution spreading through that country, they were 
unable to go elsewhere. The inhabitants told them that they 
had not time to u talka" religion. The way soon opened for 
them to return to San Francisco, which they did in August. 

Siam. — The missionaries sent in the Fall of 1852, to Siam, 
finding it impossible to ship thither from San Francisco, accom- 
panied the Hindostanee missionaries to Calcutta, where, in 
consequence of the war in Burmah, they learned that the 
overland route to Siam was interrupted, when Elders Chauncey 
W. West and Franklin Dewey concluded to go to Ceylon, and 
Elders Elam Luddington and Levi Savage to Siam, by way of 
Burmah. 

Ceylon. — The Ceylon missionaries encountered much oppo- 
sition, partly caused by the circulation of a large number of 
tracts from Europe containing misrepresentations and lies. At 
Galle the newspapers advised the people not to receive ' 'Mor- 
mon" missionaries into their houses, lest they should become 
partakers of their evil deeds, which counsel was implicitly 
obeyed. The missionaries had an introduction to a gentleman 
living at Columbo, seventy miles distant, and proceeded 
thither. EJder Dewey sacrificed his watch to get a little some- 
thing to eat. On their return they passed through thirty-seven 
towns, and witnessed the immoral practices and social degra- 
dation of the inhabitants. They visited high and low, priest 
and people, but they would neither open their doors for preach- 
ing, nor feed the missionaries. 

Elder Savage remained in Burmah nearly two years, 
without being able to establish a branch. Elder Luddington 
proceeded to Bankok, Siam, where he was stoned and rejected. 

South Africa. — In 1853, Elders Jesse Haven, William 
Walker and Leonard I. Smith arrived at the Cape of Good 
Hope. The first three meetings held in Cape Town were 
broken up by rioters. Elders Smith and Walker went into 
the country, where they obtained a foothold and com- 
menced to baptize. Elder Haven remained and preached 
amid much opposition and raised up a branch of the Church. 
Elder Walker proceeded to Fort Beaufort and baptized several. 
Elder Smith labored around Fort Elizabeth and organized a 
small conference. ' 

Sandwich Isles.— In the fall of 1850, a number of Elders y 

Zk 




$»- — ^ 

(j 36 ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS. Q 

were sent to the Sandwich Islands. After laboring till April, 
1851, the President of the mission and others concluded to 
leave. But Elder George Q. Cannon and several Elders re- 
mained, and, after acquiring the language, baptized thousands. 
Elder Cannon translated and published an edition of the Book 
of Mormon in the Hawaiian language. 

West Indies. — Elders Aaron F. Farr, Darwin Richardson, 
Jesse Turpin and A. B. Lambson landed at Jamaica, in the 
West Indies, January 10th, 1853. They called upon the 
American consul, Mr. Harrison, who advised them to hire a 
hall and announce public preaching, as the laws extended 
toleration to all sects, which they accordingly did ; but a mob 
numbering one hundred and fifty persons, gathered around 
the building and threatened to tear it down were these poly- 
gamists, as they termed the Elders, permitted to preach 
therein. Unless the Elders could give security for the price of 
the hall the landlord objected to their holding meeting. The 
Elders informed him that they were not there to enforce their 
principles upon the people — to quell mobs, nor to protect 
property, but to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ to those 
who were willing to hear it. The Elders got away from the 
Island safely, though while they remained they had to run the 
gauntlet, and two of them were" shot at by a negro. 

British Guiana. — Elders James Brown and Elijah 
Thomas, missionaries to British Guiana, shipped from San 
Diego, California, to Panama, thence to Chagres and A spin - 
wall. From the latter port, unable to ship for British Guiana, 
they embarked for Jamaica. After conferring with the West 
India missionaries, they concluded to embark with them for 
Barbadoes, being still unable to ship for the point of their 
destination. After paying their passages they were not allowed 
to proceed thither; the prejudice was so great against the 
Elders that the harbor agent or naval officers would not allow 
them to be shipped to any English Island. As the only 
alternative they proceeded to New York with the West India 
missionaries, where they all landed in February, 1853, and 
labored in the United States, except Elder Darwin Richardson, 
who went to England and labored there. 

Malta.— In 1853, Elder James F. Bell, was sent from 
England to Malta, where several were baptized. Upon the 
breaking out of the Crimean war, the intrest in the work was 
broken off, still a few of the soldiers in the British regiments 
that landed there obeyed the Gospel. There originated from 
this mission three branches of the Church, viz.: one in 
Florianna, Malta, a second called the "floating branch," in the 
Mediterranean, which consisted of sailors belonging to Her 
Majesty's ships the Bellerophon, Trafalgar, Vengeance^ and 
Brittania; a third, the expeditionary force branch in the Crimea; 
\ the latter consisted of brethren belonging to the 30th, 41st, 93d y 



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and 95th British regiments. A few of the members of these 
branches lost their lives in the Crimean war. 

Elder Orson Pratt went on a mission to Austria in April, 
1864. Accompanied by Elder William W. Biter he proceeded 
to Vienna, where they labored for several months to acquire 
the German language; but in consequence of religious intoler- 
ance they were unable to open the door for the proclamation 
of the Gospel in that country. 

Immigration. — In those nations where the Gospel has 
been received, Elders have been sent from Utah from time to 
time to preach and publish and to assist the native Elders in 
spreading the work. A constant stream of emigration has 
flowed thence to the Headquarters of the Saints. From the 
European missions the emigration has been from one to four 
thousand persons annually. 

The following interesting article, under the head of 
"Church History," is from the pen of President Joseph Smith, 
and was written by him in 1842 for publication in the Chicago 
Democrat. We copy it from the Times and Seasons, Vol. Ill, 
page 706 : 

,f At the request of Mr. John Wentworth, editor and proprietor of the 
Chicago Democrat, I have written the following sketch of the rise, pro- 
gress, persecution, and faith of the Latter-day Saints, of which I have the 
honor, under God, of being the founder. Mr. Wentworth says that he 
wishes to furnish Mr. Bastow, a friend of his, who is writing the history 
of New Hampshire, with this document. As Mr. Bastow has taken the 
proper steps to obtain correct information, all that I shall ask at his hands 
is, that he publish the account entire, ungarnished, and without misrepre- 
sentation. 

"I was born in the town of Sharon, Windsor county, Vermont, on the 
23d of December, A. D. 1805. When ten years old, my parents removed 
to Palmyra, New York, where we resided about four years, and from 
thence we removed to the town of Manchester. 

"My father was a farmer and taught me the art of husbandry. When 
about fourteen years of age, I began to reflect upon the importance of 
being prepared for a future state, and, upon enquiring the plan of salva- 
tion, I found that there was a great clash in religious sentiment; if I went to 
one society, they referred me to one plan, and another to another, each one 
pointing to his own particular creed as the summum bonum of perfection. 
Considering that all could not be right, and that God could not be the 
author of so much confusion, I determined to investigate the subject more 
fully, believing that if God had a church, it would not be split up into 
factions, and that if he taught one society to worship one way, and ad- 
minister in one set of ordinances, he would not teach another, principles 
which were diametrically opposed. Believing the word of God, I had 
confidence in the declaration of James, 'If any man lack wisdom, let 
him ask of God, who giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not, and 
it shall be given him,' I retired to a secret place in a grove and began to 
call upon the Lord. While fervently engaged in supplication, my mind 
was taken away from the objects with which I was surrounded, and I was 
enwrapped in a heavenly vision, and saw two glorious personages who ex- 
actly resembled each other in features and likeness, surrounded with a bril- 
liant light, which eclipsed the sun at noonday. They told me that all 
religious denominations were believing in incorrect doctrines, and that 
none of them was acknowledged of God as His church and kingdom. 
And I was expressly commanded to 'go not after them;' at the same time 

<5^e- -e^ 




-e*3# 



AKSWEES TO QUESTIONS. 



receiving a promise that the fullness of the gospel should at some future 
time be made known unto me. 

"On the evening of the 21st of September, A. D. 1823, while I was 
praying unto God, and endeavoring to exercise faith in the precious prom- 
ises of Scripture, on a sudden, a light like that of day, only of a far purer 
and more glorious appearance and brightness, burst into the room, indeed 
the first sight was as though the house was filled with consuming fire; 
the appearance produced a shock that affected the whole body; in a mo- 
ment a personage stood before me surrounded with a glory yet greater than 
that with which I was already surrounded. This messenger proclaimed 
himself to be an angel of God, sent to bring the joyful tidings, that the 
covenant which God made with ancient Israel was at hand to be fulfilled, 
that the preparatory work for the second coming of the Messiah was 
speedily to commence; that the time was at hand for the gospel, in all its 
fullness, to be preached in power unto all nations, that a people might be 
prepared for the millennial reign. 

"I was informed that I was chosen to be an instrument in the hands 
of God to bring about some of His purposes in this glorious dispensation. 

"I was also informed concerning the aboriginal inhabitants of this 
country, and shown who they were, and from whence they came; a brief 
sketch of their origin, progress, civilization, laws, governments, of their 
righteousness and iniquity, and the blessings of God being finally with- 
drawn from them as a people, was made known unto me. I was also told 
where there were deposited some plates, on which were engraven an 
abridgement of the records of the ancient prophets that had existed on 
this continent. The angel appeared to me three times the same night and 
unfolded the same things. After having received many visits from the 
angels of God, unfolding the majesty and glory of the events that should 
transpire in the last days, on the morning of the 22d of September, A. I>. 
1827, the angel of the Lord delivered the records into my hands. 

"These records were engraven on plates which had the appearance of 
gold, each plate was six inches wide and eight inches long, and not quite 
so thick as common tin. They were filled with engravings, in Egyptian 
characters and bound together in a volume, as the leaves of a book, with 
three rings running through the whole. The volume was something near 
six inches in thickness, a part of which was sealed. The characters on 
the unsealed part were small and beautifully engraved. The whole book 
exhibited many marks of antiquity in its construction, and much skill in 
the art of engraving. With the records was found a curious instrument, 
which the ancients called 'Urim and Thummim,' which consisted of two 
transparent stones set in the rim of a bow fastened to a breastplate. 

"Through the medium of the Urim and Thummim I translated the 
record, by the gift and power of God. 

"In this important and interesting book the history of ancient Ameri- 
ca is unfolded, from its first settlement by a colony that came from the 
tower of Babel at the confusion of languages, to the beginning of the fifth 
century of the Christian era. We are informed by these records that 
America in ancient times had been inhabited by two distinct races of peo- 
ple. The first were called Jaredites, and came directly from the tower of 
Babel. The second race came directly from the ci*y of Jerusalem, about 
six hundred years before Christ. They were principally Israelites, of the 
descendants of Joseph. The Jaredites were destroyed about the time that 
the Israelites came from Jerusalem, who succeeded them in the in- 
heritance of the country. The principal nation of the second race fell in 
battle towards the close of the fourth century. The remnant are the In- 
dians that now inhabit this country. This book also tells us that our 
Savior made his appearance upon this continent after his resurrection, 
that he planted the gospel here in all its fulness, and richness and power, 
and blessing; that they had apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers and 
evangelists; the same order, the same priesthood, the same ordinances, 
gifts, powers and blessings as were enjoyed on the eastern continent, that 
fo the people were cut off in consequence of their transgressions; that the , 
V last of their prophets who existed among them was commanded to write J 

$W- ^ -e^B 



&6/3- 

ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS. 



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8 



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an abridgment of their prophesies, history, etc., and to hide it up in the 
earth, and that it should come forth and be united with the Bible for the 
accomplishment of the purposes of God in the last days. For a more 
particular account I would refer to the Book of Mormon, which can be 
purchased at Nauvoo, or from any of our traveling elders. 

"As soon as the news of this discovery was made known, false reports, 
misrepresentations and slander flew, as on the wings of the wind, in every 
direction; the house was frequently beset by mobs, and evil designing 
persons. Several times I was shot at, and very narrowly escaped, and 
every device was made use of to get the plates away from me, but the 
power and blessing of God attended me, and several began to believe my 
testimony. 

"On the 6th of April, 1830, the 'Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day 
Saints' was first organized in the town of Fayette, Seneca county. State 
of New York. Some few were called and ordained by the spirit of 
revelation and prophecy, and began to preach as the spirit gave them 
utterance, and though weak, yet were they strengthened by the power of 
God, and many were brought to repentance, w T ere immersed in the water, 
and were rilled with the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands. They 
saw visions and prophesied, devils were cast out, and the sick healed by 
the laying on of hands. From that time the work rolled forth with 
astonishing rapidity, and churches were soon formed in the States of New 
York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Missouri; in the last 
named State a considerable settlement was formed in Jackson county; 
numbers joined the church, and we were increasing rapidly; we made 
large purchases of land, our farms teemed with plenty, and peace and 
happiness were enjoyed in our domestic circle and throughout our neigh- 
borhood; but as we could not associate with our neighbors — who were 
many of them the basest of men, and had fled from the face of civilized 
society to the frontier country, to escape the hand of justice — in their mid- 
night revels, their Sabbath breaking, horse racing and gambling, they 
commenced at first to ridicule, then to persecute, and, finally, an organ- 
ized mob assembled and burned our houses, tarred and feathered, and 
whipped many of our brethren, and finally drove them from their habita- 
tions, who, houseless and homeless, contrary to law, justice and humanity, 
had to wander on the bleak prairies till the children left the tracks of their 
blood on the prairie. This took place in the month of November, and 
they had no other covering but the canopy of heaven, in this inclement 
season of the year; this proceeding was winked at by the government, and 
although we had warantee deeds for our land, and had violated no law, we 
could obtain no redress. 

"There were many sick, who were thus inhumanly driven from their 
houses, and had to endure all this abuse, and to seek homes where they 
could be found. The result was, that a great many of them, being de- 
prived of the comforts of life, and the necessary attendance, died; many 
children were left orphans; wives, widows; and husbands widowers. Our 
farms were taken possession of by the mob, many thousands of cattle, 
sheep, horses and hogs, were taken, and our household goods, store goods, 
and printing press and type were broken, taken, or otherwise destroyed. 

"Many of our brethren removed to Clay, where they continued until 
18S6, three years;, there was no violence offered, but there were threaten- 
ings of violence. But in the Summer of 1836, these threaten ings began to 
assume a more serious form; from threats, public meetings were called, 
resolutions were passed, vengeance and destruction were threatened, and 
affairs again assumed a fearful attitude. Jackson county was a sufficient 
precedent, and as the authorities in that county did not interfere, they 
boasted that they would not in this, which, on application to the authori- 
ties, we found to be too true, and after much violence, privation and loss of 
property, we were again driven from our homes. X 

"We next settled in Caldwell and Davies counties, where we made 
large and extensive settlements, thinking to free ourselves from the power 
of oppression by settling in new counties, with very few inhabitants in 
them, but here we were not allowed to live in peace, but in 1838 we were 

g^3 _e^ 



again attacked by mobs; an exterminating order was issued by Governor 
Boggs, and under the sanction of law, an organized banditti ranged 
through the country, robbed us of our cattle, sheep, horses, hogs, etc., 
many of our people were murdered in cold blood, the chastity of our 
women was violated, and we were forced to sign away our property at the 
point of the sword, and after enduring every indignity that could be 
heaped upon us by an inhuman, ungodly band of marauders, from 
twelve to fifteen thousand souls, men, women and children, were driven 
from their own firesides, and from lands that they had warantee deeds of, 
houseless, friendless and homeless, (in the depth of winter,) to wander as 
exiles on the earth or to seek an asylum in a more genial clime, and among 
a less barbarous people. 

"Many sickened and died, in consequence of the cold and hardships 
they had to endure; many wives were left widows, and children orphans, 
and destitute. It would take more time than is allotted me here, to describe 
the injustice, the wrongs, the murders, the bloodshed, the theft, misery 
and woe that have been caused by the barbarous, inhuman and lawless 
proceedings in the State of Missouri. 

"In the situation before alluded to we arrived in the State of Illinois in 
1839, where we found a hospitable people and a friendly home; a people 
who were willing to be governed by the principles of law and humanity, 
We have commenced to build a city called 'Nauvoo,' in Hancock county, 
we number from six to eight thousand here, besides vast numbers in the 
county around and in almost every county of the State. We have a city 
charter granted us, and a charter for a Legion, the troops of which now 
number 1,500. We have also a charter for a university, for an agricul- 
tural and manufacturing society, have our own laws and administrators, 
and possess all the privileges that other free and enlightened citizens enjoy. 

"Persecution has not stopped the progress of truth, but has only added 
fuel to the flame: it has spread with increasing rapidity. Proud of the cause 
which they have espoused, and conscious of their innocence and of the truth 
of their system, amidst calumny and reproach have the elders of this church 
gone forth and plented the gospel in almost every State in the Union. It 
has penetrated our cities, it has spread over our villages, and has caused 
thousands of our intelligent, noble and patriotic citizens to obey its divine 
mandates, and be governed by its sacred truths. It has also spread into 
England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales; in the year of 1840, when a few of 
our missionaries were sent, over five thousand joined the standard of truth; 
there are numbers now joining in every land. 

"Our missionaries are going: forth to different nations, and in Ger- 
many, Palestine, New Holland, the East Indies, and other places, the 
standard of truth has been erected; no unhallowed hand can stop the 
work from progressing. Persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies 
may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth 
boldly, nobly, and independently, till it has penetrated every continent, 
visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till 
the purposes of God shall be accomplished and the great Jehovah shall say 
the work is done. 

"We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christy 
and in the Holy Ghost. 

"We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for 
Adam's transgression. 

"We believe that through the atonement of Christ all mankind may 
be saved by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel. 

"We believe that these ordinances are: First, Faith in the Lord Jesus 
Christ; second, Repentance; third Baptism by immersion for the remission 
of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the Gift of the Holy Ghost. 

"We believe that a man must be called of God, by 'prophecy, and by 
laying on of hands,' by those who are in authority to preach the gospel 
and administer in the ordinances thereof. 

"We believe in the same organization that existed in the primitive 
church, viz.: apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, etc. 

<ife^- -e^> 



:<! 



ANSWEKS TO QUESTIONS. 41 



"We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, 
healing, interpretation of tongues, etc. 

"We believe the Bible to be the word of God, as far as it is translated 
correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God. 

"We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and 
we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things per- 
taining to the Kingdom of God. 

"We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of 
the Ten Tribes. That Zion will be built upon this continent. That Christ 
will reign personally upon the earth, and that the earth will be renewed 
and receive its paradisaic glory. 

"We claim the privilege of worshipping Almighty God according to 
the dictates of our conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let 
them worship how, where, or what they may. 

"We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers and magis- 
trates, in obeying, honoring and sustaining the law. 

"We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and 
in doing good to all men-, indeed we may say that we follow the admoni- 
tion of Paul, 'We believe all things, we hope all things, 7 we have endured 
many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is any- 
thing virtuous, lovely or of good report, or praiseworthy, we seek after 
these things. 

Respectfully, etc., 

JOSEPH SMITH." 



The following revelation was published by Elder F. D. 
Eichards, 15, Wilton Street, Liverpool, England, in the year 
1851, in a pamphlet entitled The Pearl of Great Price. 

A REVELATION AND PROPHECY 

by the Prophet, Seer and Revelator, Joseph Smith, given 
December 25th, 1832. 

Verily thus saith the Lord, concerning the wars that will shortly come 
to pass, beginning at the rebellion of South Carolina, which will eventually 
terminate in the death and misery of many souls. The days will come 
that war will be poured out upon all nations, beginning at that place; for 
behold, the Southern States shall be divided against the Northern btates, 
and the Southern States will call on other nations, even the nation of 
Great Britain, as it is called, and they shall also call upon other nations, in 
order to defend themselves against other nations; and thus war shall be 
poured out upon all nations. And it shall come to pass, after many days, 
slaves shall rise up against their masters, who shall be marshalled and dis- 
ciplined for war. And it shall come to pass also, that the remnants who 
are left of the land will marshal themselves, and shall become exceeding 
angry, and shall vex the gentiles with a sore vexation; and thus, with the 
sword, and by bloodshed, the inhabitants of the earth shall mourn; and 
with famine, and plague, and earthquakes, and the thunder of Heaven, 
and the fierce and vivid lightning also, shall the inhabitants of the earth 
be made to feel the wrath and indignation and chastening hand of an 
Almighty God, until the consumption decreed, hath made a full end of all 
nations; that the cry of the Saints and of the blood of the Saints, shall 
cease to come up into the ears of the Lord of Sabbaoth, from the earth, to be 
avenged of their enemies. Wherefore, stand ye in holy places, and be not 
moved, until the day of the Lord come; for behold it cometh quickly, 
saith the Lord. Amen. 

<9dS*e — -e^ 



sp~ ^ -^ 

/ 42 ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS. \ 

BEVEUTIOH OK CELESTIAL MARRIAGE, 

GIVEN TO JOSEPH SMITH, NAUVOO, JULY 12TH, 1843. 



1. Verily, thus saith the Lord unto you, my servant Joseph, 
that inasmuch as you have inquired of my hand, to know and 
understand wherein I, the Lord, justified my servants Abra- 
ham, Isaac and Jacob; as also Moses, David and Solomon, my 
servants, as touching the principle and doctrine of their having 
many wives and concubines: Behold ! and lo, I am the Lord 
thy God, and will answer thee as touching this matter: There- 
fore, prepare thy heart to receive and obey the instructions 
which I am about to give unto you; for all those who have this 
law revealed unto them must obey the same; for behold ! I 
reveal unto you a new and an everlasting covenant; and if ye 
abide not that covenant, then are ye damned; for no one can 
reject this covenant, and be permitted to enter into my glory; 
for all who will have a blessing at my hands, shall abide the 
law which was appointed for that blessing, and the conditions 
thereof, as was instituted from before the foundation of the 
world: and as pertaining to the new and everlasting covenant, 
it was instituted for the fulness of my glory; and he that re- 
ceiveth a fulness thereof, must and shall abide the law, or he 
shall be damned, saith the Lord God. 

2. And verily I say unto you, that the conditions of this law 
are these: — All covenants, contracts, bonds, obligations, oaths, 
vows, performances, connections, associations, or expectations, 
that are not made, and entered into, and sealed, by the Holy 
Spirit of promise, of him who is anointed, both as well for time 
and for all eternity, and that too most holy, by revelation and 
commandment through the medium of mine anointed, whom 
I have appointed on the earth to hold this power, (and I have 
appointed unto my servant Joseph to hold this power in the 
last days, and there is never but one on the earth at a time, on 
whom this power and the keys of this Priesthood are confer- 
red,) are of no efficacy, virtue or force, in and after the resur- 
rection from the dead; for all contracts that are not made unto 
this end, have an end when men are dead. 

3. Behold ! mine house is a house of order, saith the Lord 
God, and not a house of confusion. Will I accept of an offer- 
ing, saith the Lord, that is not made in my name ! Or, will I 
receive at your hands that which I have not ajDpointed f And 
will I appoint unto you, saith the Lord, except it be by law, 
even as I and my Father ordained unto you, before the world 

— e^6 




: ^&£ 

ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS. 43 



was ! I am the Lord thy God, and I give unto you this com- 
mandment, that no man shall come unto the Father but by me, 
or by my word, which is my law, saith the Lord; and every- 
thing that is in the world, whether it be ordained of men, 
by thrones, or principalities, or powers, or things of name, 
whatsoever they may be, that are not by me, or by my word, 
saith the Lord, shall be thrown down, and shall not remain 
after men are dead, neither in nor after the resurrection, saith 
the Lord your Gf-od; for whatsoever things remaineth, are by 
me; and whatsoever things are not by me, shall be shaken and 
destroyed. 

4. Therefore, if a man marry him a wife in the world, and he 
marry her not by me, nor by my word; and he covenant with 
her so long as he is in the world, and she with him, their 
covenant and marriage is not of force when they are dead, and 
when they are outx>f the world; therefore, they are not bound 
by any law when they are out of the world; therefore, when 
they are out of the world, they neither marry, nor are given in 
marriage; but are appointed angels in heaven, which angels 
are ministering servants, to minister for those who are worthy 
of a far more, and an exceeding, and an eternal weight of 
glory; for these angels did not abide my law, therefore they 
cannot be enlarged, but remain separately and singly, without 
exaltation, in their saved condition, to all eternity, and from 
henceforth are not Gods, but are angels of God, forever and 
ever. 

5. And again, verily I say unto you, if a man marry a wife, 
and make a covenant with her for time and for all eternity, if 
that covenant is not by me, or by my word, which is my law, 
and is not sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise, through him 
whom I have anointed and appointed unto this power, — then 
it is not valid, neither of force when they are out of the 
world, because they are not joined by me, saith the Lord, 
neither by my word; when they are out of the world, it can- 
not be received there, because the angels and the Gods are 
appointed there, by whom they cannot pass; they cannot, 
therefore; inherit my glory, for my house is a house of order, 
saith the Lord God. 

6. And again, verily I say unto you, if a man marry a 
wife by my word, which is my law, and by the new and ever- 
lasting covenant, and it is sealed unto them by the Holy Spirit 
of promise, by him who is anointed, unto whom I have ap- 
pointed this power, and the keys of this Priesthood; and it 
shall be said unto them, ye shall come forth in the first resur- 
rection; and if it be after the first resurrection, in the next 
resurrection; and shall inherit thrones, kingdoms, principali- 
ties, and powers, dominions, all heights and depths — then shall 
it be written in the Lamb's Book of Life, that he shall commit , 

v no murder whereby to shed innocent blood, and if ye abide in 

fee- — oQ% 






44 ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS. ^ 

my covenant, and commit no murder whereby to shed innocent 
blood, it shall be done unto them in all things whatsoever my 
servant hath put upon them, in time, and through all eternity, 
and shall be of full force when they are out of the world; and 
they shall pass by the angels, and the Gods, which are set 
there, to their exaltation and glory in all things, as hath been 
sealed upon their heads, which glory shall be a fulness and a 
continuation of the seeds forever and ever. 

7. Then shall they be Gods, because they have no end; 
therefore shall they be from everlasting to everlasting, because 
they continue; then shall they be above all, because all things 
are subject unto them. Then shall they be Gods, because they 
have all power, and the angels are subject unto them. 

8. Yerily, verily I say unto you, except ye abide my law, 
ye cannot attain to this glory; for strait is the gate, and narrow 
the way that leadeth unto the exaltation and continuation of 
the lives, and few there be that find it, because ye receive me 
not in the world, neither do ye know me. But if ye receive 
me in the world, then shall ye know me, and shall receive your 
exaltation, that where I am, ye shall be also. This is eternal 
lives, to know the only wise and true God, and Jesus Christ, 
whom He hath sent. I am He. Receive ye, therefore, my law. 
Broad is the gate, and wide the way that leadeth to the death; 
and many there are that go in thereat; because they receive me 
not, neither do they abide in my law. 

9. Yerily, verily I say unto you, if a man marry a wife 
according to my word, and they are sealed by the Holy Spirit 
of promise, according to mine appointment, and he or she shall 
commit any sin or transgression of the new and everlasting 
covenant whatever, and all manner of blasphemies, and if they 
commit no murder, wherein they shed innocent blood — yet they 
shall come forth in the first resurrection, and enter into their 
exaltation; but they shall be destroyed in the flesh, and shall 
be delivered unto the buffe tings of Satan unto the day of re- 
demption, saith the Lord God. 

10. The blasphemy against the Holy Ghost, which shall 
not be forgiven in the world, nor out of the world, is in that ye 
commit murder, wherein ye shed innocent blood, and assent 
unto my death, after ye have received my new and everlasting 
covenant, saith the Lord God; and he that abideth not this law, 
can in no wise'enter into my glory, but shall be damned, saith 
the Lord. 

11. I am the Lord thy God, and will give unto thee the 
law of my Holy Priesthood, as was ordained by me, and my 
Father, before the world was. Abraham received all things, 
whatsoever he received, by revelation and commandment, by 
my word, saith the Lord, and hath entered into his exaltation, 
and sitteth upon his throne. 

12. Abraham received promises concerning his seed, and ^ 

.fee- : -e^Bb 



qg^ _ e>^> 

{ ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS. 45 

, . 

of the fruit of his loins, — from whose loins ye are, namely, my 
servant Joseph, — which were to continue so long as they were 
in the world; and as touching Abraham and his seed, out of 
the world they should continue; both in the world and out of 
the world should they continue as innumerable as the stars; or, 
if ye were to count the sand upon the sea shore, ye could not 
number them. This promise is yours, also, because ye are of 
Abraham, and the promise was made unto Abraham; and by 
this law are the continuation of the works of my Father, 
wherein he glorifieth Himself. Go ye, therefore, and do the 
works of Abraham; enter ye into my law, and ye shall be 
saved. But if ye enter not into my law ye cannot receive the 
promise of my Father, which He made unto Abraham. 

13. God commanded Abraham, and Sarah gave Hagar to 
Abraham to wife. And why did she do it % Because this was 
the law, and from Hagar sprang many people. This, therefore, 
was fulfilling, among other things, the promises. Was Abra- 
ham, therefore, under condemnation % Verily, I say unto you, 
IV ay; for I, the Lord, commanded it. Abraham was com- 
manded to offer his son Isaac; nevertheless, it was written, thou 
shalt not kill. Abraham, however, did not refuse, and it was 
accounted unto him for righteousness. 

14. Abraham received concubines, and they bare him 
children, and it was accounted unto him for righteousness, 
because they were given unto him, and he abode in my law, 
as Isaac also, and Jacob did none other things than that which 
they were commanded; and because they did none other things 
than that which they were commanded, they have entered into 
their exaltation, according to the promises, and sit upon thrones, 
and are not angels, but are Gods. David also received many 
wives and concubines, as also Solomon and Moses my servants; 
as also many others of my servants, from the beginning of 
creation until this time; and in nothing did they sin, save in 
those things which they received not of me. 

15. David's wives and concubines were given unto him, of 
me, by the hand of Nathan, my servant, and others of the 
Prophets who had the keys of this power; and in none of these 
things did he sin against me, save in the case of Uriah and his 
wife; and, therefore he hath fallen from his exaltation, and 
received his portion; and he shall not inherit them out of the 
world; for I gave them unto another, saith the Lord. 

16. I am the Lord thy God, and I gave unto thee, my ser- 
vant Joseph, an appointment, and restore all things; ask what 
ye will, and it shall be given unto you according to my word: 
and as ye have asked concerning adultery, — verily, verily I say 
unto you, if a man receiveth a wife in the new and everlasting 
covenant, and if she be with another man, and I have not ap- 
pointed unto her by the holy anointing, she hath committed 

| adultery, and shall be destroyed. If she be not in the new and 



Stpo - c\g 



i 



/ 46 ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS. 

everlasting covenant, and she be with another man, she has 
committed adultery; and if her husband be with another wo- 
man, and he was under a vow, he hath broken his vow, and 
hath committed adultery, and if she hath not committed adul- 
tery, but is innocent, and hath not broken her vow, and she 
knoweth it, and I reveal it unto you, my servant Joseph, then 
shall you have power, by the power of my Holy Priesthood, 
to take her, and give her unto him that hath not committed 
adultery, but hath been faithful; for he shall be made ruler 
over many; for I have conferred upon you the keys and power 
of the Priesthood, wherein I restore all things, and make known 
unto you all things in due time. 

17. And verily, verily I say unto you, that whatsoever you 
seal on earth, shall be sealed in heaven; and whatsoever you 
bind on earth, in my name, and by my word, saith the Lord, it 
shall be eternally bound in the heavens; and whose soever sins 
you remit on earth shall be remitted eternally in the heavens; 
and whose soever sins you retain on earth, shall be retained in 
heaven. 

18. And again, verily I say, whomsoever you bless, I will 
bless, and whomsoever you curse, I will curse, saith the Lord; 
for I, the Lord, am thy God. 

19. And again, verily I say unto you, my servant Joseph, 
that whatsoever you give on earth, and to whomsoever you 
give any one on earth, by my word, and according to my law, 
it shall be visited with blessings, and not cursings, and with 
my power, saith the Lord, and shall be without condemnation 
on earth, and in heaven; for I am the Lord thy God, and will 
be with thee even unto the end of the world, and through all 
eternity; for verily, I seal upon you your exaltation, and prepare 
a throne for you in the kingdom of my Father, with Abraham 
your father. Behold, I have seen your sacrifices, and will 
forgive all your sins; I have seen your sacrifices, in obedience 
to that which I have told you; go, therefore, and I make a way 
for your escape, as I accepted the offering of Abraham, of his 
son Isaac. 

20. Yerily I say unto you, a commandment I give unto 
mine handmaid, Emma Smith, your wife, whom I have given 
unto you, that she stay herself, and partake not of that which 
I commanded you to offer unto her; for I did it, saith the Lord, 
to prove you all, as I did Abraham; and that I might require 
an offering at your hand, by covenant and sacrifice: and let 
mine handmaid, Emma Smith, receive all those that have been 
given unto my servant Joseph, and who are virtuous and pure 
before me; and those who are not pure, and have said they 
were pure, shall be destroyed, saith the Lord God; for I am the 
Lord thy God, and ye shall obey my voice; and I give unto 
my servant Joseph, that he shall be made ruler over many ^ 

o^5- = -e*9J| 




fee ; 

ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS. 

things, for lie hath been faithful over a few things, and from 
henceforth I will strengthen him. 

21. And I command mine handmaid, Emma Smith, to abide 
and cleave unto my servant Joseph, and to none else. But if 
she will not abide this commandment, she shall be destroyed, 
saith the Lord; for I am the Lord thy God, and will destroy 
her, if she abide not in my law; but if she will not abide this 
commandment, then shall my servant Joseph do all things for 
her, even as he hath said; and I will bless him and multiply 
him, and give unto him an hundred-fold in this world, of 
fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters, houses and lands, 
wives and children, and crowns of eternal lives in the eternal 
worlds. And again, verily I say, let mine handmaid forgive 
my servant Joseph his trespasses; and then shall she be for- 
given her trespasses, wherein she hath trespassed against me; 
and I, the Lord thy God, will bless her, and multiply her, and 
make her heart to rejoice. 

22. And again, I say, let not my servant Joseph put his 
property out of his hands, lest an enemy come and destroy 
him; for Satan seeketh to destroy; for I am the Lord thy God, 
and he is my servant; and behold ! and lo, I am with him, as 
I was with Abraham, thy father, even unto his exaltation and 
glory. 

23. Now, as touching the law of the priesthood, there are 
many things pertaining thereunto. Verily, if a man be called 
of my Father, as was Aaron, by mine own voice, and by the 
voice of him that sent me: and I have endowed him with 
the keys of the power of this Priesthood, if he doan3^thing in 
my name, and according to my law, and by my word, he will 
not commit sin, and I will justify him. Let no one, therefore, 
set on my servant Joseph; for I will justify him; for he bhall 
do the sacrifice which I require at his hands, for his transgres- 
sions, saith the Lord your God. 

24. And again, as pertaining to the law of the Priesthood: 
If any man espouse a virgin, and desire to espouse another, 
and the first give her consent; and if he espouse the second, 
and they are virgins, and have vowed to no other man, then is 
he justified; he cannot commit adultery, for they are given 
unto him; for he cannot commit adultery with that that be- 
longethunto him and to no one else; and if he have ten virgins 
given unto him by this law, he cannot commit adultery, for 
they belong to him, and they are given unto him, therefore is 
he justified. But if one or either of the ten virgins, after she 
is espoused, shall be with another man; she has committed 
adultery, and shall be destroyed; for they are given unto him 
to multiply and replenish the earth, according to my com- 
mandment, and to fulfil the promise which was given by my 
Father before the foundation of the world; and for their exalt- 
ation in the eternal worlds, that they may bear the souls of 







9p> : -©,§£ 

(j 48 ANSWEKS TO QUESTIONS. 

men; for herein is the work of my Father continued, that He 
may be glorified. 

25. And again, verily, verily I sav unto you, if any man 
have a wife, who holds the keys of this power, and he teaches 
unto her the law of my Priesthood, as pertaining to these 
things, then shall she believe, and administer unto him, or she 
shall be destroyed, saith the Lord your Grod; for I will destroy 
her; for I will magnify my name upon all those who receive 
and abide in my law. Therefore, it shall be lawful in me, if 
she receive not this law, for him to receive all things, whatso- 
ever I, the Lord his God, will give unto him, because she did 
not administer unto him according to my word; and she then 
becomes the transgressor; and he is exempt from the law of 
Sarah, who administered unto Abraham according to the law, 
when I commanded Abraham to take Hagar to wife. And now, 
as pertaining to this law, verily, verily I say unto you, I will 
reveal more unto you, hereafter; therefore, let this suffice for 
the present. Behold, I am Alpha and Omega. Amen. 



We make the following extracts from a work published on 
"India, ancient and modern," by David O. Allen, D. D., Mis- 
sionary of the American Board, for twenty-five years in India, 
etc. They are published in his work in an appendix devoted 
to the subject of Polygamy. This subject was taken into con- 
sideration by the Calcutta Missionary Conference, composed of 
Missionaries from various sects of England and America, and 
including Episcopalians, Presbyterians, Baptists and Congre- 
gationalists, in consequence of the application of converts in 
India, who had been legally married to several wives and who 
had given credible evidence of their personal piety, to be ad- 
mitted into the church. After frequent consultations and 
much consideration the Conference unanimously came to the 
following conclusion: 

"If a convert, before becoming a Christian, has married more wives 
than one, in accordance with the practice of the Jewish and primitive 
Christian churches, he shall be permitted to keep them all, but such a 
person is not eligible to any office in the church." 

The arguments which we quote below are advanced in Dr. 
Allen's work as a justification of this action of the Conference 
of Protestant Missionaries on the subject, 

"To those who have doubts in respect to the intrinsic moral lawfulness 
of plurality of wives as it existed among the ancient Jews, and who wish 
further to examine this subject, the consideration of the following extracts 



from a work called 'Thelyphthora,' published anonymously* many years 
ago in England, is recommended. The author of this work says: 

11 'The best and fairest, and indeed the only way to get at the truth, 
on this, as on every occasion where religion is concerned, is to lay aside 
prejudice, from whatever quarter it may be derived and let the Bible 
speak for itself. Then we shall see that more than one wife, notwithstand- 
ing the seventh commandment, was allowed by God himself, who, how- 
ever others might take it, must infallibly know His own mind, be perfectly 
acquainted with His own will, and thoroughly understand His own law. 
If He did not intend to allow a plurality of wives, but to prevent and 
condemn it, either by the seventh commandment, or by some other law, 
how is it possible that He should make laws for its regulation, any more 
than He should make laws for the regulation of theft or murder ? How is 
it conceivable that He should give the least countenance to it, or so express 
His approbation as even to work miracles in support of it? For the mak- 
ing a woman fruitful who was naturally barren must have been the effect 
of supernatural power. He blessed, and in a distinguished manner 
owned, the issue, and declared it legitimate to all intents and purposes. If 
this be not allowance, what is ? 

11 'As to the first, namely, His making laws for the regulation of poly- 
gamy, let us consider what is written in Exodus, 21:10. If he {i.e., the 
husband) take him another wife, (not, in so doing, that he sins against 
the seventh commandment, recorded in the preceding chapter, but), her 
food, her raiment, (i. e., of the first wife), and her duty of marriage, he 
shall not diminish. Here God positively forbids a neglect, much more the 
divorcing or putting away of the first wife, but charges no sin in taking 
the second. 

" 'Secondly. When Jacob married Rachel she was barren, and so con- 
tinued for many years; but God did not leave this as a punishment upon 
her for marrying a man who had another wife. It is said, Genesis, 30: 22, 
that God remembered Rachel; and God hearkened unto her, and opened 
her womb, and she conceived and bare a son, and said, God hath taken 
away my reproach. Surely this passage of Scripture ought to afford a 
complete answer to those who bring the words of the marriage bond as 
cited by Christ, Matthew, 19: 5 — "They twain shall be one flesh," — to prove 
polygamy sinful, and should lead us to construe them, as by this instance 
and many others the Lawgiver himself appears to have done; that is to 
say, where a woman, not betrothed to another man, unites herself in per- 
sonal knowledge with the man of her choice, let that man's situation be 
what it may, they twain shall be one flesh. How, otherwise, do we find 
such a woman as Rachel united to Jacob, who had a wife then living, 
praying to God for a blessing on her intercourse with Jacob, and God 
hearkening to her, opening her womb, removing her barrenness, and thus 
by miracle taking away her reproach ? We also find the offspring legiti- 
mate, and inheritors of the land of Canaan; a plain proof that Joseph and 
Benjamin were no bastards, or born out of lawful marriage. f See a like 
palpable instance of God's miraculous blessing on polygamy in the case of 
Hannah, 1 Samuel, i and ii. These instances serve also to prove that, in 

*This extraordinary work, though published anonymously, was generally understood 
to be written by the Rev. Martin Madan, Chaplain of the Lock Hospital, in London. He 
was a man of some musical talent; he composed the tunes "Denmark" and "Denbigh;" 
the first is commonly sung to the hymn, "Before Jehovah's awful throne;" the latter to 
that commencing "From all that dwell below the skies." He was also the author of a 
translation of Juvenal & Perseus, with note, 2 vols. ; "a commentary on the articles of 
Church of England;" "Thoughts on Executive Justice;" and "Letters to Dr. Priestly." 
He died in 1790. 

+ If polygamy was unlawful, then Leah was the only wife of Jacob, and none but her 
children were legitimate. Eachel as well as Bilhah and Zilpah were merely mistresses, and 
their children, six in number, were bastards, the offspring of adulterous connection. And 
vet there is no intimation of anv such views and feelings in Laban's family, or in Jacob's 
familv, or in Jewish historv. B'ilhah and Zilpah are called Jacob's wives (Genesis 37: 2). 
God honored the sons of Rachel, Bilhah, and Zilpah equally with the sons of Leah, made 
them the patriarchs of seven of the tribes of the nation, and gave them equal inheritance (j) 
in Canaan.— D. O. Allen. / 



i 



0^3- -e^pP 

50 ANSWERS TO QUESTION. ^) 

God's account, the second marriage is just as valid as the first, and as ob- 
ligatory; and that our making it less so, is contradictory to the Divine 
wisdom. 

"'Thirdly. God blessed and owned the issue. How eminently this 
was the case with regard to Joseph, see Genesis 49; 22-26; to Samuel, see 
1 Samuel 3: 15. It was expressly commanded that a bastard, or son of a 
woman that was with child by whoredom, should not enter into the con- 
gregation of the Lord, even to his tenth generation (Deuteronomy 23: 2). 
But we find Samuel, the offspring of polygamy, ministering to the Lord in 
the Tabernacle at Shiloh, even in his very childhood, clothed with a linen 
ephod, before Eli the priest. See this whole history, 1 Samuel i and ii. 
Who, then can doubt of Samuel's legitimacy, and consequently of God's 
allowance of, and blessing on, polygamy? If such second marriage was, 
in God's account, null and void, as a sin against the original law of mar- 
riage, or the seventh commandment, or any other law of God, no mark of 
legitimacy could have been found on the issue; for a null and void mar- 
riage is tantamount to no marriage at all; and if no marriage, no legitimacy 
of the issue can possibly be. Instead of such a blessing as Hannah 
obtained, we should have found her and her husband Elkanah charged 
with adultery, dragged forth, and stoned to death; for so was adultery to be 
punished. All this furnishes us with a conclusive proof, that the having 
more than one wife with which a man cohabited, was not adultery in the 
sight of God; or, in other words, that it never was reckoned by Him any 
sin against the seventh commandment, or the original marriage institu- 
tion, or any other law whatsoever. 

" 'Fourthly. But there is a passage, (Deuteronomy 21: 15) which is 
express to the point, and amounts to a demonstration of God's allowance 
of plurality of wives. If a man have two wives, one beloved and another 
hated, and they have borne him children, both the beloved and the hated; 
and if the first-born be hers that was hated, then it shall be, when he 
maketh his sons to inherit that which he hath, that he may not make the 
son of the beloved first-born before the son of the hated, which is, indeed 
the first-born, by giving him a double portion of all that he hath; for he 
is the beginning of his strength, and the right of the firstborn is his. On 
the footing of this law, the marriage of both women is equally lawful. 
God calls them both wives, and He cannot be mistaken; if He calls them 
so, they certainly were so. If the second wife bore the first son, that son 
was to inherit before a son born afterwards of the first wife. Here the 
issue is expressly deemed legitimate, and inheritable to the double portion 
of the first-born; which could not be, if the second marriage were not 
deemed as lawful and valid as the first. 

" 'Fifthly. To say that a plurality of wives is sinful, is to make God 
the author of sin: for, not to forbid that which is evil but even to counten- 
ance and promote it, is being so far the author of it, and accessory to it in 
the highest degree. And shall we dare to say, or even think that this is 
chargeable upon Him, who is of purer eyes than to behold evil and who 
cannot look on iniquity ? (Habbakuk 1: 13.) God forbid. 

"When God is upbraiding David, by the prophet Nathan, for his 
ingratitude to his Almighty benefactor (2 Samuel xii.) He does it in the 
following terms: — verse 8, — I gave thee thy master's house, and thy 
master's wives unto thy bosom, and I gave thee the house of Israel and 
Judah, and if that had been too little, I would moreover have given thee 
such and such things. 

' 'Can we suppose God giving more wives than one into David's bosom, 
who already had more than one, if it was sin in David to take them ? 
Can we imagine that God would thus transgress (as it were) His own 
commandment in one instance, and so severely reprove and chastise 
David for breaking it in another? Is it not rather plain, from the whole 
transaction, that David committed mortal sin in taking another living 
man's wife, but not in taking the widows of the deceased Saul ? and thus, 
therefore, though the law of God condemned the first, yet it did not con- 
demn the second ? 

" 'Sixthly. When David took the wife of L T riah, he was severely 

g§N3- ■ : -e/9| 



^e- : e^ 

j ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS. 51 

reprimanded by the prophet Nathan ; but after Uriah's death, he takes the 
same woman, though he had other wives before, and no fault is found with 
him; nor is he charged with the least flaw or insincerity in his repent- 
ance on that account. The child which was the fruit of his intercourse 
with Bathsheba, during her husband Uriah's life, God struck to death 
with his own hand. (2 Samuel 12: 15.) Solomon, born of the same woman, 
begotten of the same man, in a state of plurality of wives, is acknow- 
ledged by God himself as David's lawful issue (1 Kings 5: 5,) and as such 
set upon his throne. The law which positively excluded bastards, or those 
born out of lawful wedlock, from the congregation of the Lord, even to 
the tenth generation, (Deuteronomy 23: 2.) is wholly inconsistent with 
Solomon being employed to build God's temple — being the mouth of the 
people to God in prayer — and offering sacrifices in the Temple at its dedi- 
cation — unless David's marriage with Bathsheba was a lawful marriage — 
Solomon, the lawful issue of that marriage— consequently a plurality of 
wives no sin, either against the primary institution of marriage, or against 
the seventh commandment. But so far from Solomon being under any 
disqualification from the law above mentioned, he is appointed by God 
himself to build the Temple. (1 Kings, 8: 19.) His prayer is hsard, and 
the house is hallowed (chapter 9: 3,) and filled with such glory, that the 
priests could not stand to minister, (chapter 8. 11.) Solomon, therefore, as 
well as Samuel, stands as demonstrable proof, that a child born under the 
circumstances of a plurality of wives is no bastard — God himself being the 
judge, whose judgment is according to truth. 

"A more striking instance of God's thoughts on the total difference 
between a plurality of wives and adultery, does not meet us anywhere 
with more force and clearness in any part of the sacred history, than in 
the account which is given us of David and Bathsheba, and their issue. 

"When David took Bathsheba, she was another man's wife, the 
child which he begat by her in that situation was begotten in adultery — 
and the thing which David had done displeased the Lord. (2 Samuel 11: 27.) 
And what was the consequence? We are told, 2 Samuel 12: 1, the Lord 
sent Nathan the prophet unto David. Nathan opened his commission 
with a most beautiful parable, descriptive of David's crime; this parable 
the prophet applies to the conviction of the delinquent, sets it home upon 
his conscience, brings him to repentance, and the poor penitent finds 
mercy — his life is spared, verse 13. Yet God will vindicate the honor of 
His moral government, and that in the most awful manner — the murder 
of Uriah is to be visited upon David and his house. The sword shall never 
depart from thine house, verse 10. The adultery with Bathsheba was to 
be retaliated in the most aggravated manner. Because thou hast despised 
me, and hast taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be thy wife, thus saith 
the Lord, I will raise up evil against thee out of thine own house, and I 
will take thy wives and give them unto thy neighbor before thine eyes; 
and he shall lie with thy wives in the sight of the Sun; for thou didst it 
secretly, but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the Sun. All 
this was shortly fulfilled in the rebellion and incest of Absalom, chapter 
16: 21, 22. And this was done in the way of judgment on David for tak- 
ing and defiling the wife of Uriah, and was included in the curses 
threatened (Deuteronomy 28: 30) to the despisers of God's laws. 

"As to the issue of David's adulterous commerce with Bathsheba, it 
is written, 2 Samuel 12: 15, The Lord struck the child that Uriah's wife 
bare unto David, and it was very sick. What a dreadful scourge this was 
unto David, who could not but read his crime in his punishment, the fol- 
lowing verses declare— wherein we find David almost frantic with grief. 
However the child's sickness was unto death, for, verse 18, on the seventh 
day the child died. 

"Now let us take a view of David's act of taking a plurality of wives, 
when, after Uriah's death, he added Bathsheba to his other wives (verses 
24, 25.) And David comforted Bathsheba his wife, and went in unto her 
and lay with her, and she bare a son, and he called his name Solomon (that 
maketh peace and reconciliation or recompense,) and the Lord loved him. 
Again we find Nathan, who had been sent on the former occasion, sent 

fee- -e^b( 



also on this, but with a very different message. And He (the Lord) sent 
by the hand of Nathan the prophet, and he called his name Jedediah 
(Dilectus Domini — Beloved of the Lord) because of theLord, — i.e.,)because 
of the favor God had towards him. (verse 24.) 

"Let any read onward through the whole history of Solomon; let 
them consider the instances of God's peculiar favor towards him already 
mentioned, and the many others that are to be found in the account we 
have of him; let them compare God's dealings with the unhappy issue of 
David's adultery, and this happy offspring of Bathsheba, one of his many 
wives, and if the allowance and approbation of the latter doth not as 
clearly appear as the condemnation and punishment of the former, surely 
all distinction and difference must be at an end, and the Scripture itself 
lose the force of its own evidence. 

"Seventhly. I have mentioned the law being explained by the pro- 
phets. These were extraordinary messengers whom God raised up and 
sent forth under a special commission, not only to fortell things to come, 
but to preach to the people, to hold forth the law, to point out their defec- 
tions from it, and to call them to repentance, under the severest terms of 
God's displeasure unless they obeyed. Their commission, in these respects, 
we find recorded in Isaiah 58: 1, 'Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice 
like a trumpet: show my people their transgression, and the house of 
Jacob their sins.' This commission was to be faithfully executed at the 
peril of the prophet's own destruction, as appears from the solemn charge 
given to Ezekiel, chapter 3: 18, When I say to the wicked, 'Thou shalt 
surely die, and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the 
wicked to save his life, the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity, bat 
his blood will I require at thine hand.' 

"These prophets executed their commissions very unfaithfully to- 
wards God and the people, as well as most dangerously for themselves, if 
a plurality of wives was sin against God's law, for it was the common 
practice of the whole nation, from the prince on the throne to the lowest 
of the people; and yet neither Isaiah, Jeremiah, nor any of the prophets, 
bore the least testimony against it. They reproved them sharply and 
plainly for defiling their neighbors' wives, as Jeremiah 5: 8, 29, 23, in 
which fifth chapter we not only find the prophet bearing testimony against 
adultery, but against whoredom and fornication (verse 7,) for that they 
assembled themselves by troops in the harlots' houses. Not a word against 
polygamy. How is it possible, in any reason, to think, that this, if a sin, 
should never be mentioned as such by God, by Moses, or any of the 
prophets ? 

" 'Lastly. In the Old Testament, plural marriage was not only 
allowed in all cases, but in some commanded. Here, for example, is the 
law (Deuteronomy 25: 5 — 10). If brethren dwell together, and one of them 
die and have no child, the wife of the dead shall not marry without unto 
a stranger: her husband's brother shall go in unto her, and take her to 
him to wife, and perform the duty of a husband's brother unto her. And 
it shall be that the first-born that she beareth shall succeed in the name of 
the brother which is dead, that his name be not put out of Israel, etc. 

" 'This law must certainly be looked upon as an exception from the 
general law (Leviticus 18: 16,) and the reason of it appears in the law it- 
self, namely, 'To preserve inheritances in the families to which they 
belonged.' 

. . As there was no law against plurality of wives, there was nothing 
to exempt a married man from the obligation of marrying his brother's 
widow. 

.... For, let us suppose that not only the surviving brother, but all the 
near kinsmen, to whom the marriage of the widow and the redemption of 
the inheritance belonged, were married men — if that exempted them from 
the obligation of this law — as they could not redeem the inheritance un- 
less they married the widow (Ruth 4: 5) — the widow be tempted to marry 
a stranger — to put herself and the inheritance into his hands — and the 
A whole reason assigned for the law itself, that of raising up seed to the ^ 
V deceased, to preserve the inheritance in his family, that his name be not / 

fee. __ s^ 1 



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ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS. 53 

put out of Israel— fall to the ground. For which weighty reasons, as there 
was evidently no law against a plurality of wives, there could be no ex- 
emption of a man from the positive duty of this law because he was mar- 
ried. As we say, Ubi cadit ratio, ibi idem jus." ' 

" I will now hasten to the examination of a notion, which I fear is too 
common among us, and on which what is usually said and thought on 
the subject of a plurality of wives, is for the most part built; I mean that 
of representing Christ as appearing in the world, as "a new lawgiver, who 
was to introduce a more pure and perfect system of morality, than that of 
the law which was given by Moses," — This horrible blasphemy against 
the holiness and perfection of God's law, as well as against the truth of 
Christ, who declared that He came not to destroy the law, but to fulfil it — 
this utter contradiction both of the law and the Gospel — was the founda- 
tion on which the heretic Socinus built all his other abominable errors. 

"Christ most solemnly declared — that heaven and earth could sooner 
pass, than one jot or tittle pass from the law— Think not, said He, that I 
am come to destroy the law or the prophets; I am not come to destroy, 
but to fulfil. So far from abrogating the law, or rule of life, which had 
been delivered by the hand of Moses, or setting up a new law in opposi- 
tion to it— He came into the world to be subject to it in all things, and so 
to fulfil the whole righteousness of it. Matthew 3: 15. To magnify the law 
and make it honorable. Isaiah 42: 21, even by his obedience unto death. 
Speaking in the spirit of prophecy (Psalms 40: 8.) He says— Lo— I come 
—in the volume of the book it is written of me— I delight to do thy will, 
O my God; yea, thy law is within my heart. And in His public ministry 
how uniformly doth He speak the same thing? 

"If we attend to our Savior's preaching, and especially to that heavenly 
discourse delivered from the Mount, we shall find him a most zealous ad- 
vocate for the law of God, as delivered by Moses. We shall find Him 
stripping it of the false glosses, by which the Jewish rabbies had obscured 
or perverted its meaning, and restoring it to that purity and spirituality 
by which it reacheth even to the thoughts and intents of the heart. For 
instance, when He is about to enter upon a faithful exposition of the 
moral law, lest his hearers should imagine that what He was about to say 
was contrary to the law of the Old Testament, being so different from the 
teachings of the scribes and Pharisees, He prefaces His discourse with 
those remarkable words— Matthew 5: 17—20, Think not that I am come 
to destroy the law or the prophets, I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil; 
for verily I say unto you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one 
tittle shall not pass from the law till all be fulfilled. 

"Let us take a nearer and more critical view of those passages of the 
Gospels, in which Christ is supposed to condemn the plurality of wives as 
adultery. The first which I shall take notice of, as introductory to the 
rest is Matthew 5: 31,32. It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away 
his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement. But I say unto you, 
that whomsoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornica- 
tion, causeth her to commit adultery, and whosoever shall marry her that 
is divorced, committeth adultery. 

The next scripture to be farther considered, is Matthew 19: 9. I say 
unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, (except it be for fornication) 
and shall marry another, committeth adultery, and whoso marrieth her 
which is put away, doth commit adultery. 

"Christ was surrounded at this time by a great multitude of people, 
who, in principle, as living under the law of the Old Testament, were 
polygamists, and, doubtless, numbers of them were so in practice — many 
there must have been among this great multitude of Jews, who had either 
married two wives together, or having one, took another to her, and co- 
habited with both. Had our Lord intended to have condemned such 
practices, he would scarcely have made use of words which did not des- 
cribe their situation, but of words that did. It is very plain that— He that 
putteth away his wife, by giving her a bill of divorcement— could have 
notning to do with the man who took two wives together, or one to 
another, and cohabited alike with both. But we are apt to construe scrip- 

&§^ -e/=3% 




I 



ANSWEKS TO QUESTIONS. 

ture, by supposing persons to whom particular things are said, were in the 
circumstances then, in which we are now; but it was far otherwise: they 
had no municipal laws against a plurality of wives, as we have. So far 
from it, their whole law, (as has been abundantly proved) allowed it. 
Which said law, and every part thereof, was, at the time Christ spake 
what is recorded in Matthew 19: 9, in as full force and efficacy, as at the 
moment after Moses had delivered it to the people. He therefore could no 
more state a plurality of wives as adultery by the law of Israel, than I can 
state it as high treason by the laws of England. 

"Can it be imagined that Christ, so remarkable for his precision, so 
thoroughly accurate in all He said on every other point, should use so little 
in this, as not to make Himself understood by His hearers? Nay — that He 
should observe so little precision, as not to describe an offense, which we 
are to suppose Him to condemn ? The most flagrant instances, the most ob- 
vious and palpable definitions of a plurality of wives cannot be understood 
from what He says. — He that putteth away his wife, by bill of divorcement, 
and marrieth another — does not describe a man's taking two wives together, 
and cohabiting with both; nor — a man's having a wife, and takinganother 
to her, and cohabiting with both. Such was the Old Testament plurality 
of wives, not the putting away one in order to take another. 

"Now, if a plurality of wive3 were unlawful, and of course null and 
void before God, then was not Christ legally descended of the house and 
lineage of David, but from a spurious issue, not only in the instances 
above mentioned, but also in others which might be mentioned. So that 
when Christ is supposed to condemn a plurality of wives as adultery, con- 
trary to the institution of marriage, and to the seventh commandment, He 
must at the same time be supposed to defeat his own title to the character 
of the Messiah, concerning whom God had sworn to David, that of the 
fruit of his loins, according to the flesh. He would raise up Christ to sit on 
His throne. See Acts 2: 30, with Psalms 132: 11. 

"The lawfulness of a plurality of wives must of course be established, 
or the whole of Christianity must fall to the ground, and Christ not be He 
that was to come, but we must look for another. Matthew 11: 3. 

"The learned Selden has proved, in his Uxor Hsebraica, that a plu- 
rality of wives was allowed, not only among the Hebrews, but among most 
other nations throughout the world; doubtless among the inhabitants of 
that vast tract of Asia, throughout which the Gospel was preached by the 
great apostle of the Gentiles, where so many Christian churches were 
planned, as well as in the neighboring states of Greece: yet in none of St. 
Paul's epistles, nor in the seven awful epistles which St. John was com- 
manded to write to the seven churches in Asia, is a plurality of wives 
found among the crimes for which they were reproved. Every other species 
of commerce between the sexes, is distinctly and often mentioned, this not 
once except on the woman's side, as Romans 7: 3; but had it been sinful 
and against the law on the man's side, it is inconceivable that it should 
not have been mentioned on both sides equally. 

"Grotius observes, 'Among the Pagans, few nations were content with 
one wife;' and we do not find the apostle making this any bar to church- 
membership. It can hardly be supposed, that if a plurality of wives were 
sinful, that is to say, an offense against the law of God, the great apostle 
should be so liberal and so particular in his epistle to the Corinthians, in 
the condemnation of every other species of illicit commerce between the 
sexes, and yet omit this in the black catalogue, Chapter 6: 9, etc., or that he 
should not be as zealous for the honor of the law of marriage, and of the 
seventh commandment, which was evidently to maintain it, as Ezra was 
for that positive law of Deuteronomy 7: 3. against the marrying with 
heathens. Ezra made the Jews put away the wives which they had ille- 
gally taken, and even the very children which they had by them; how is 
it that Paul, if a plurality of wives was sinful, did not make the Gentile 
and the Jewish converts put away every wife but the first, and annul 
every other contract. 

"No man could have a fairer opportunity to bear his testimony against 
a national sin than the Baptist had; fur it is said (Matthew 3: 5) Then went 

Bg>e- ; ^ 



out to him Jerusalem and all Judea, and all the region round about Jordan; 
and among the numbers who were baptized of him in Jordan, and con- 
fessing their sins (verse 6.) there were many harlots (chapter 21: 32.) So 
that it is evident he did not spare to inveigh most sharply against the sin of 
fleshly uncleanliness; had a plurality of wives been of this kind, he 
doubtless would have preached against it, which, if he had, some trace 
would most probably have been left of it, as there is of his preaching 
against the sin of whoredom, by the harlots being said to believe on him; 
which they certainly would not have done, any more than the Scribes and 
Pharisees (Matthew 21: 32) if the preacher had not awakened them to a 
deep and real sense of their guilt, by setting forth the heinousness of their 
sin. He exerted his eloquence also against public grievances, such as the 
extortion of the public officers of the revenue — the publicans — tax-gather- 
ers — likewise against the oppressive methods used by the soldiery, who 
made it a custom either to take people's goods by violence, or to defraud 
them of their property, by extorting it under the terror of false accusation. 
These were public grievances, against which the Baptist bore so open a 
testimony, that the publicans and soldiers came to him, saying: What 
shall we do? This being the case, it is conceivable that a man of the 
Baptist's character, who was so zealous for the honor of the law, as to re- 
prove even a king to his face for adultery, should suffer; if a plurality of 
wives be adultery, a whole nation, as it were, of public adulterers to stand 
before him, and not bear the last testimony against them ? I do not say 
this is a conclusive, but it is surely a very strong presumptive argument, 
that in the Baptist's views of the matter, a plurality of wives, whoredom, 
and adultery were by no means the same thing. 

"While this system of a plurality of wives was reverenced and ob- 
served, we read of no adultery, whoredom, and common prostitution of 
women among the daughters of Israel; no brothels, street-walking, vene- 
real disease; no child-murder, and those other appendages of female ruin, 
which are too horrid to particularize. Nor were these things possible, 
which, since the revocation of the divine system and the establishment 
of human systems, are becoming inevitable. The supposing our blessed 
Savior came to destroy the divine law, or alter it with respect to marriage, 
is to suppose Him laying a foundation for the misery and destruction of 
the weaker sex." 

Having given the above extracts ftom the writings of the 
Rev. Martin Madan, in his "Thelyphthora," we now make the 
following extracts from a tract published by the eminent divine, 
Bishop Burnet, who was elevated to the see of Salisbury, Eng- 
land, by William III., and who is described as a learned, 
judicious and excellent Bishop. He is known principally by 
his "History of the Reformation," and by that of " His own. 
Times." 

The tract was written on the question : 

"Is a plurality of wives in any case lawful umder the 
Gospel?" 

"Neither is it, [a plurality of wives] any where marked among the 
blemishes of the patriarchs; David's wives, and store of them he had, are 
termed by the prophet, God's gift to him: yea, a plurality of wives was 
made in some cases a duty by Moses' law — when any died without issue, 
his brother, or nearest kinsman, was to marry his wife, for raising up seed 
to him: and all were obliged to obey this, under the hazard of infamy, if 
they refused it; neither is there any exceptions made for such as were mar- 
ried. From whence I may faithfully conclude, that what God made neces- 
sary in some cases to any degree, can in no case be sinful in itself; since 
* God is holy in all His ways, 
v "But it is now to be examined, if it is forbidden by the Gospel. A y 



simple and express discharge of a plurality of wives is nowhere to be 
found. 

"It is true our Lord discharges divorces, except in the case of adultery, 
adding that whosoever puts away his wife upon any other account, com- 
mits adultery: so St. Luke and St. Matthew in one place have it— or 
commits adultery against her: so St. Mark has it— or causes her to commit 
adultery: so St. Matthew in another place. 

"But, says an objector, if it be adultery then to take another woman 
after an unjust divorce, it will follow that the wife has that right over the 
husband's body, that he must touch no other. 

'This is indeed plausible, and it is all that can be brought from the 
New Testament, which seems convincing; yet it will not be found of 
weight. 

"For it is to be considered, that if our Lord had been to antiquate the 
plurality of wives, it been so deeply rooted in the men of that age, con- 
firmed by such fashions and unquestioned precedents, and riveted by so 
long a practice, he must have done it plainly and authoritatively; and not in 
such an involved manner, as to be sought out of his words by the search 
of logic. 

"Neither are these dark words made more clear by any of the apostles 
in their writings: words are to be carried no farther than the design upon 
which they were written will lead them to; so that our Lord being, in that 
place, to strike out divorce so explicitly, we must not, by a consequence, 
condemn a plurality of wives; since it seems not to have fallen within the 
scope of what our Lord does there disapprove. 

"Therefore, to conclude this short answer, wherein many things are 
hinted, which might have been enlarged into a volume, I see nothing so 
strong against a plurality of wives, as to balance the great and visible im- 
minent hazards that hang over so many thousands, if it be not allowed." 



TERRITORIAL G0YERX3IEXT. 

The organization by Act of Congress of the Territory of 
Utah in 1850 went into effect in 1851. By the Organic Act the 
executive power of the Territory is vested in the Governor, who 
is appointed by the President of the United States, and holds 
his office for four years and until his sucessor is elected and 
qualified, unless sooner removed by the President. Until 1858 
the Governor was ex-officio Superintendent of Indian Affairs. 
He approves the acts passed by the Legislative Assembly and 
fills all vacancies occurring in offices until the meeting of the 
Legislature. He is commander-in-chief of the militia. He may 
grant pardons for offences against the laws of the Territory, and 
reprieves for violation of the laws of the United States until the 
decision of the President is known. It is his duty to see that 
the laws are faithfully executed. 

The Secretary of the Territory is appointed for the same 
time and in the same manner as the Governor. He records the 
laws and proceedings of the Legislative Assembly, and the 
official proceedings of the Executive, and transmits copies 
annually of the laws and journals to the Speaker of the House 
of Representatives, and the President of the Senate for the use 
of Congress, also to the President of the United States. In case 



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f 



ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS. . 57 

of a vacancy in the office of Governor the Secretary becomes 
Acting Governor. 

The Legislative Assembly consists of a Council composed 
of thirteen members, and a House of Representatives of twenty- 
six members. The former are elected for two years, the latter 
for one year. By a late amendment the representatives hold 
office two years, and the sessions are biennial. The members 
of the Assembly must be qualified voters in the districts in 
which they reside. The apportionment of representation was 
made in the first instance by the Governor, and subsequently 
by the Assembly, by giving each district representation accord- 
ing to its population as nearly as may be. Each branch of the 
Assembly elects its own officers. The respective sessions of 
the Assembly are limited to forty days. The Legislative pow- 
ers of the Assembly extend to all rightful subjects of legisla- 
tion consistent with the Constitution of the United States and 
the provisions of the Organic Act. Copies of all laws passed 
by the Assembly and signed by the Governor are forwarded to 
the presiding officers of both Houses of Congress, and if dis- 
approved by that body become null and void. 

The apportionment of the Legislative Assembly is as 
follows : 

Washington and Kane counties, one Councilor and one 
Representative. 

Beaver, Iron and Piute counties, one Councilor and two 
Representatives. 

Millard and Juab counties, one Councilor and two Rep- 
resentatives. 

Sanpete and Sevier counties, one Councilor and two 
Representatives. 

Utah and Wasatch counties, two Councilors and four 
Representatives. 

Cache and Rich counties, one Councilor and two Repre- 
sentatives. 

Weber and Box Elder counties, one Councilor and three 
Representatives. 

Davis and Morgan counties, one Councilor and two 
Representatives. 

Salt Lake, Tooele, Summit and Green River counties, four 
Councilors and eight Representatives. 

The Legislative Assembly have held seventeen sessions; 
and ^ so carefully and judiciously has the legislation of the 
Territory been conducted, that Congress has only exercised the 
power of disapproval in one instance, and that for political 
effect, designed to interfere with the marriage rites of the 
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This is a record 
of which the Territory may justly be proud. The principal 
body of the laws, including the civil and criminal codes and 

— -e^ 




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I 



58 ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS. 

modes of procedure, were passed in Governor Young's admin- 
istration, and remain substantially. 

The Judicial power of the Territory is vested in a Supreme 
Court, District and Probate Courts, and Justices of the Peace, 
the Supreme Court consists of a Chief Justice and two Asso- 
ciate Justices, appointed by the President of the United States 
for the term of four years. The Territory is divided into three 
Judicial Districts, one of the Justices of the Supreme Court 
being assigned to each as a District Judge. The jurisdiction 
of the several courts, both appellate and original and of Jus- 
tices of the Peace are as limited by law; with the proviso that 
Justices of the Peace shall not have jurisdiction in any contro- 
versy involving the title or boundaries of land, nor for sums 
exceeding one hundred dollars. 

The Organic Act requires the District Judges to reside in 
their districts. The First Judicial District includes the coun- 
ties of Utah, Wasatch, Sanpete, Juab, Millard, Sevier and 
Piute. The court is held at Provo. The Second Judicial Dis- 
trict includes the counties of Washington, Kane, Iron and 
Beaver. Court is held at Beaver. The Third embraces the 
counties of Tooele, Salt Lake, Summit, Davis, Morgan, Weber, 
Box Elder, Cache and Eich. Court is held at Salt Lake City. 

A Probate Judge is elected for each county by the Legisla- 
tive Assembly. He holds office four years, and has civil, 
criminal and surrogate jurisdiction in cases arising in the 
county. There are also elected three Selectmen, a Sheriff, 
Treasurer, Recorder, Superintendent of Schools and Coro- 
ner. A Justice of the Peace and Constable are elected in 
each Precinct. 

There are in Utah thirty incorporated cities. The acts in- 
corporating Salt Lake, Ogden, Provo and Payson cities are 
modeled after that of Chicago. The financial policy of the 
Territorial Legislature, the County Courts and municipalities, 
has been to keep free from debt. Appropriations are annually 
made by the Legislative Assembly to defray the expenses of 
the Supreme and District Courts, when sitting as Territorial 
Courts, and the Penitentiary. The salaries of all officers are 
low. Appropriations are also made by the County Courts to 
defray the expenses of the Probate Courts incurred in criminal 
cases. The principal portion of County and Territorial reve- 
nue is applied to schools, making roads and building bridges. 
Appeals may be taken from the Probate Court to the Dis- 
trict Court and from the District to the Supreme Court. Each 
county elects, for the term of three years, three Selectmen, one 
going out of office and one being elected annually. The Select- 
men, with the Probate Judge, form a County Court. They 
divide the county into precincts, school districts, locate the 
xoads, define the boundaries of irrigation districts, levy the 

$g*e- : " e ^ 



2 



ANSWEKS TO QUESTIONS. 59 

taxes, provide for the erection and keeping in repair of county 
buildings, and provide for estray pounds in each precinct. 

The Militia of the Territory consists of the able-bodied 
men between the ages of eighteen and forty -five, organized in- 
to a military body known as the "Nauvoo Legion," coinman ded 
by a Lieutenant-General. The Legion is divided into military 
districts, each district having a commander whose rank is de- 
termined by the number of men in his district. A company 
consists of not less than sixty men, rank and file, a battalion 
one hundred and twenty men, a regiment six hundred, a bri- 
gade twelve hundred, and a division two or more brigades. 

The reports of the Adjutant-General for 1867 show 12,024 
men , armed aud equipped according to law. A great number 
of the newly -arrived immigrants being without arms, are not en- 
rolled. Owing to the illegal acts of the Executive, no subse- 
quent report hasJbeen made. 

The field officers are, one Lieutenant-General, two Major- 
Generals, nine Brigadier-Generals, twenty-five Colonels, one 
hundred and twelve Majors with their necessary respective 
staff officers. 

One-fifth of the militia is cavalry. There are a few com- 
panies of artillery. The infantry and cavalry have modern 
improved arms. 

KAILROADS. 

The Utah Central Railroad Company was organized under 
a general Act of Incorporation, passed at the last session of the 
Legislative Assembly. The ground was broken by Brigham 
Young, President of the Company, at Ogden, in May, 1869, 
connecting Salt Lake City with Ogden ; — distance about forty 
miles. The track-laying commenced September 23d, and was 
completed January 10th, 1870, costing about $1,500,000. A 
railroad bridge has been constructed across the Weber river. 
The road was graded principally by the inhabitants along the 
route, is owned by a Utah company, and as a business enter- 
prise is a decided success. 

The Utah Southern Railroad Company, organized January 
17th, 1871, under the Territorial Act of Incorporation, is now 
engaged building the road from the Utah Central Depot, to 
Santaquin, seventy-five miles south. The ground was broken 
May 1st, 1871. Bridges across the two Cottonwoods, and Dry 
Creek are now constructed, and twenty miles of track is laid, 
affording facilities for transportation of ores from the mines of 
the Cottonwoods and Bingham Kanyons, and supplying Salt 
Lake City with brick from the Attwood Kilns, and rock from 
the granite quarries, the fine quality of which will not fail to 
make it a valuable article of export over the National Railroads. 
The opening of this road to Santaquin will greatly aid the 
development of the agricultural resources of the fertile valley 9 

fee- -e/§§6 



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1 



I 



60 ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS. 

of Utah., and bring into use the numerous heavy lodes of low 
grade ores in Tintic, Mount Nebo, and other contiguous local- 
ities, which could not be made available without railroad 
transportation. An enterprising Company in Weber, Box 
Elder and Cache Counties, under the presidency of John W. 
Young of Salt Lake City, have commenced the construction of 
the Utah Northern Railroad, with a three feet guage, to run 
from Ogden to Soda Springs. 

EACTOEIES. 

In 1849, President Brigham Young imported a carding 
machine, which was succeeded by the importation of numerous 
others, and others were built here, the rolls being spun one 
at a time on the old-fashioned spinning wheels used by our 
grandmothers. Previous to the construction of the railroad, 
machinery for manufacturing wool was brought by wagons 
across the plains, and the Deseret Mills were erected, followed 
by the Wasatch, Ogden and Tooele Mills; and now factories 
have been put into operation in Brigham City, Beaver, and. 
Washington. A factory has been erected at Provo, Utah 
county, and is receiving the machinery for 2,500 spindles. 
These, together with the three cotton factories in the Territory, 
contribute largely toward supplying the inhabitants with 
clothing. 

Considerable attention is being paid to the importation of 
improved breeds of sheep, cattle and horses, and also to the 
introduction and culture of bees and fish. 

MINERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS. 

The grasshoppers having destroyed a large portion of the 
crops of the Territory for several years in succession, many of 
the farmers employed a portion of their time in developing the 
mineral resources of the country. 

Their efforts have been successful in attracting the attention 
of capitalists in the investment of means to develope and make 
available the low grade ores of Utah, the general characteristic 
of the mines being galena, bearing a per cent, of silver. A 
number of smelting works have been put into operation, and 
large quantities of ore have been shipped to Swansea, and other 
localities, for working. 

The construction of the Utah Southern Railroad will vastly 
increase the smelting and exportation of ores. 

The mineral resources of Utah afford a field for enterprise 
worthy the attention of capitalists and scientific men ; always 
bearing in mind that a dollar in silver or gold taken from the 
Utah mines will cost its equivalent in labor: the blanks in the 
lottery are numerous, while the prizes are few. Many wild 
mining speculations have been gotten up by adventurers, that 

Eg^e- : -e^§b& 



(J ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS. 61 fk 

will end in loss by many unsuspecting ones, like the " Tulip 
Mania,*' or the "South. Sea Scheme." 

Co-operative, or union stores, have been formed in nearly all 
the districts in the Territory. The capital used in conducting 
these has been subscribed in small shares by the masses, en- 
abling the people to obtain their merchandise at low rates, 
thereby relieving the capital heretofore employed in this branch 
of business,which is now being diverted to other channels of use- 
fulness by enlarging the manufacturing interests. The whole- 
sale importation of goods is done by a co-operative institution, 
and proves of general benefit. 

The foreign immigration of 1869 by railroad, is estimated 
at three thousand. 

In 1869, the crops were excellent throughout the Territory, 
except in the counties of Cache, Washington, Kane and Iron, 
where the grasshoppers destroyed most of the cereal crops; in 
Washington and Kane the cotton crop was materially lessened 
by the same cause. 

During 1869, President Brigham Young, his Counselors, 
and the Twelve Apostles visited all the counties in the Territory, 
excepting three, and held large public meetings of the people, 
which excited unbounded enthusiasm. 

LATTER-DAY SAINTS RELIGIOUS SERVICES IN SALT LAKE CITY. 

At the Tabernacle, every Sunday, at 11 a. m., and 2 p. m. , 
from October to April, and at 10 a. m., and 2 p.m., from April 
to October. 

At the various Ward meeting houses, every Sunday 
evening. 

Also at the various Ward meeting houses, Sabbath Schools 
at 10 a. m. 

German service each Sabbath at the City Hall, at 10 a.m., 
conducted by Elder Karl G-. Mseser. 

Danish service, every Wednesday evening. 

TOWN SITES. 

Congress passed "an act for the relief of the inhabitants of 
cities and towns upon the public lands," approved March 2d, 
1867, and the Legislative Assembly passed "an act prescribing 
rules and regulations for the execution of the trust arising 
under" that same act, which was approved February 17th, 1869. 
The authorities of Salt Lake City (the inhabitants of which 
exceeded 16,000) commenced the necessary steps to locate and 
pay for the City lands. The lots containing an acre and a quar- 
ter each, and generally occupied as orchards and gardens, 
necessarily spread over a large area of ground, and although 
the land laws of the United States prohibited the location of 
homesteads and pre-emptions within the limits of incorporated 
<J cities, numerous vexatious claims of this kind have hindered 

^3 . . hs^ 




— — -^ 

62 ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS. \ 

the entering of the city for four years; each case was decided 
by the local officers against the city, but these decisions were 
invariably reversed on appeals to the Commissioner and Secre- 
tary of the interior at Washington. 

November 21st, 1871, 5,730 45-100 acres were paid for by 
the Mayor, in trust for the inhabitants, and the legal steps are 
now in progress to secure every individual owner of possession 
his legal claim. 

The United States maybe searched in vain for another city, 
twenty-four years old, containing 20,000 inhabitants, who do 
not own a single foot of the soil upon which they reside. Most 
of the cities and towns in the Territory, where the United States 
surveys have been made, have availed themselves of the priv- 
ileges of the town site law, having entered and paid for their 
town sites. 

POLITICAL. 

J. Wilson Shaffer came to this Territory as Governor, 
March 29th, 1870, having been appointed some time previously 
but remained at Washington, endeavoring to secure the pas- 
sage of the Cullom bill, which proposed to confer on him ex- 
traordinary powers — greater than were ever conferred on any 
American Governor. Before his arrival, the Nineteenth Session 
of the Legislative Assembly was held, Hon. S. A. Mann, Sec- 
retary and Acting Governor, approving its acts. An ad valorem 
tax of one half of one per cent, being found more than neces- 
sary to sustain the expenses of the Territory, it was reduced to 
one quarter of one per cent, for Territorial purposes, while the 
counties were authorized to increase their tax from one half of 
one per cent, to three -fourths of one per cent. , under extraor- 
dinary circumstances, This provision left ample means for 
Territorial purposes, and placed a greater proportion of the 
responsibility of repairing and building bridges and roads, 
which had heretofore devolved upon the Territory, upon the 
counties. 

All the Territorial expenses of the District Courts were paid 
up to date, and a contingent fund of 84,000 appropriated to be 
expended by the Territorial Marshal for the future expenses of 
those courts. A bill conferring the right of suffrage on all 
American women, native or naturalized, was passed, and 
woman suffrage in Utah became a fixed fact. A code of civil 
practice was also passed. The Territorial officers, Auditor, 
Treasurer, Probate Judges, Notaries public, etc., were elected 
for four years, and commissioned by Acting-Governor Mann. 
On the arrival of Governor Shaffer, he was surrounded by 
hungry office-seekers, disappointed by the failure of the Cullom 
bill, which would have placed nearly all the offices of the Ter- 
ritory within the gift of the Governor. Many of these u birds 

^e = — — -e^> 



of passage," with and without carpet-bags, had waited for his 
Excellency's arrival until their finances were exhausted. 

The Governor took quarters at the boarding-house of 
William H. McKay, (whom he spoke of as an old friend), 
which became the bead-quarters of the "ring" during a great 
part of his administration; and this hungry horde surrounded 
his Excellency so continuously, that it was weeks before an old 
citizen could get an audience, and even then it was at a place, 
in company, and under circumstances not calculated to give his 
Excellency any correct understanding or appreciation of the 
actual condition, wants and situation of the people he had come 
to govern. 

On the 15th of September, 1870, the Governor issued the 
following proclam ation : 

Executive Department, Etc., 

September 15th, 1870. 

Know ye, that I, J. Wilson Shaffer, Governor of the Territory of 
Utah, and Commander-in-Chief of the militia of the Territory of Utah, do 
hereby forbid and prohibit all musters, drills, or gatherings of militia cf the 
Territory of Utah, and all gatherings of any nature, kind, or description 
of armed persons, within the Territory of Utah, except by my orders, or 
by the orders of the United States Marshal, should he need a posse eom- 
mitatus to execute any order of the court, and not otherwise. And it is 
hereby further ordered that all arms or munitions of war belonging to 
either the United States or the Territory of Utah, within said Territory, 
not in the possession of United States soldiers, be immediately delivered 
by the parties having the same in their possession, to Colonel Wm. M. 
Johns, Assistant Adjutant-General. And it is further ordered that, should 
the United States Marshal need a posse commitatus to enforce any order 
of the courts, or to preserve order, he is hereby authorized and empowered 
to make a requsition upon Major-General P. E. Connor for such posse com- 
mitatus, or armed force; and Major-General P. E. Connor is hereby author- 
ized to order out the militia, or any part thereof, as of my order for said 
purposes, and no other. 

Witness my hand and the great seal of Utah Territory, etc. 

(Signed) J. Wilson Shaffer, Governor. 

Thirty days previous to this proclamation, orders had been 
issued for the annual general muster. 

The militia of the Territory had been organized for eighteen 
years, and annual musters were held, and returns thereof made, 
according to act of Congress, approved March 2d, 1803. And this 
proclamation, so evidently designed to promote disorder, soon 
manifested its fruits, for on the 22d of the same month, some 
forty or fifty soldiers escaped with their arms from their quar- 
ters, Camp Kawlings, Utah County, went to the United States 
Assessor's office in Provo, took supper, procured liquor, and at 
midnight made a raid upon the slumbering city, boasting that 
"they had tall backing," smashing in the windows and doors 
of many of the best houses, capturing, making prisoners of, 
beating, abusing and shooting at citizens, and into houses and 
bedrooms, frightening with their hideous yells, oaths and 
threats, women and children nearly to death, one of whom y 



<feo- -e^£> 



i 



64 ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS. 

subsequently died from the effects; and their attempt to burn 
the meeting house, which cost many thousand dollars, was 
prevented only by the gathering of the people. 

Several days after this, the Governor, evidently annoyed at 
the sudden result of his proclamation, published an abusive 
letter, attempting to throw the blame upon General De Trobri- 
and, + hen Commander at Camp Douglas; but, as the gallant 
General had no control whatever over Camp Rawlings, it re- 
acted upon himself. Meantime, the military authorities had at 
once proceeded to bring the guilty to account, and redress 
grievances, through the influence of General De Trobriand, who 
had obtained orders from the department commander to go to 
Camp Rawlings, and assist in adjusting matters. General De 
Trobriand published a reply, which is a most scathing expose 
of Governor Shaffer's ignorance and imbecility. 

On the night of Monday, October 24th, 1870, about one 
month after the raid on Provo, William H. McKay, (with whom 
the Governor had resided,) with two confederates, stopped the 
United States mail coach, about one hundred miles south of 
Salt Lake City, in Juab county, robbed the mail bags and the 
passengers, were trailed up and captured the next day by the 
Sheriff of the county, and turned over to the United States 
Marshal. They were subsequently tried by the United States 
court, and McKay was sentenced to five years imprisonment. 
Heath escaped, and St. Ledger was released. This was the first 
and only mail coach robbery that ever occurred in the Territory. 

In July, 1870, S. A. Mann, Secretary of the Territory, was 
removed, and Vernon H. Vaughan, of Alabama, was appointed 
to succeed him. 

Chief- Justice Wilson was also removed, and his friends 
sought to know the reason of his removal, and were answered 
that ''General Shaffer's staff must be a unit." 

CAMP MEETING- AND CHRISTIAN COURTESIES. 

It has been customary with the presiding authorities of the 
Church, from its foundation, to invite respectable ministers of 
different denominations to preach to our people, or permit them 
to do so when they desire it. This has been done to give the 
young and rising generation an understanding of the different 
religious faiths of the various sects from their own accredited 
ministers. Distinguished ministers of the Episcopal church, 
the Presbyterian, Congregational, Dutch Reformed, Episcopal 
and Reformed Methodists, Regular and Reformed Baptists, 
Unitarian and Second Adventists, have upon invitation, also by 
their own request, addressed audiences varying from one to ten 
thousand persons in our places of meeting in this City. 

Among distinguished Methodist ministers, who have 
preached in the Tabernacle, to very large audiences, are Bishop 
(D Kingsley, of Ohio; the Rev. A. N. Fisher, of Nevada, Dr. 

fee = ^ ^ -e^£> 



gn^fP 



feo- 

/ ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS. 65 ^ 

Tiffany, of Iowa; Dr. Allen, of Wyoming; and the Rev. 
Hiram McKee, of Missouri. 

A camp meeting was held in this City by the Methodists, 
June, 1871. President Young invited all, and especially urged 
the young, to attend this meeting; he gave this notice at the 
Tabernacles, in this City, and in Ogden^, and published a sermon 
containing a like invitation, in the Deseret News. 

Sunday, June 4th, Dr. J. H. Vincent, of New York, 
accompanied by two other ministers in the interests of Sunday 
schools, expressed a wish to address the Sabbath school chil- 
dren of Salt Lake City; about four thousand Sabbath school 
children, and nearly an equal number of adults assembled in 
the New Tabernacle, and listened to Dr. Vincent's Methodist 
address. 

Sunday, June 11th, the camp-meeting commenced, and 
was well attended by the Latter day Saints, very few others 
paying any attention to it. It probabiy was the most orderly 
camp-meeting on record. To say nothing of the christian cour- 
tesies extended by President Young, it was naturally expected 
by his friends that he would receive at least, the respect due a 
stranger, but when he went to the meeting he was not invited 
to a seat, although there were a number of vacant seats on the 
platform. The sermons of the ministers were aimed directly 
at him, and, in the opinion of the audience, more resembled 
the efforts of revilers than the ministrations of Christian gentle- 
men. The Rev. Mr. In skip and company were much chagrined 
at their lack of success. 

PUBLICATIONS. 

The lirst Utah edition of the Book of Mormon was printed 
in July, 1871, and 2,500 copies issued in August following. 

The fourteenth edition of the Hymn Book, (first Utah 
edition) was printed March 18, 1871, on type cast in Salt Lake 
City, and 10,000 copies issued in April following. 

The second edition of Catechism for CJiildren (first Salt 
Lake edition, revised,) 5,000 copies issued October, 1870. 
(First edition, 10,000 copies.) 

The Mormon Question, being a speech of Vice-President 
S. Colfax, and a reply thereto by Elder John Taylor, 2,000 
copies, published March, 1870. 

The Cullom Bill, a Remonstrance and resolutions adopted 
by a mass meeting of the citizens of Utah, etc., 2,000 copies, 
published July, 1870. 

Discourses on Celestial Marriage, by Orson Pratt, George 
A. Smith and George Q. Cannon, 2,000 copies, published 
December, 1869. 

A Sketch of the Travels and Ministry of Elder Orson 
Hyde to Germany, Constantinople and Jerusalem, etc, 2,000 
copies, published August, 1869. 



a^o- 




1 



1 



Book of Mormon, $1 50 

Book of Mormon, French, 1 00 

Doctrine and Covenants, 1 00 

Journal of Discourses, 1 50 

Orson Pratt's Pamphlets, 1 50 

Voice of Warning, cloth, 50 

Voice of Warning, roan, 75 

Compendium, roan, 1 00 

Compendium, calf gilt, 1 50 



qg^ _ : ^^ 

66 ANSWEES TO QUESTIONS. 

The following is a list of works for sale at the Deseret 
News Office, Salt Lake City, Utah. 

Government of God, $ 50 

E. R. Snow's Poems, cloth, 1 00 

gilt, 1 25 

calf, 2 00 

" " " morocco, 2 25 

Harp of Zion, cloth, 1 00 

Harp of Zion, gilt, 1 50 

Hymn Books, roan, 1 25 

Millenial Star, vols. 1-11-13-14-15. 

MISCELLANEOUS ANSWERS. 

Great Salt Lake is about eighty miles long and forty wide, 
has seven islands, three of which are mountainous and are 
used for grazing, and its nearest accessible point is some fif- 
teen miles from Salt Lake City. The Lake is some ten feet 
higher than it was in 1850. 

The river Jordan, the outlet of Utah Lake, pursues a very 
meandering, detail course, but has a very direct general norther- 
ly course of some forty miles, and empties into Salt Lake, about 
ten miles from Salt Lake City. 

Utah Lake is a beautiful sheet of fresh water, with an 
extreme length and breadth of thirty -five by fifteen miles; it 
receives Provo river, Spanish Fork, and several other affluents, 
and abounds in mountain trout and other delicious fish. A 
canal and dam are in progress, to utilize the waters of this Lake 
for irrigating Salt Lake City and Valley. 

The Twin Peaks, in the Wasatch mountains, are about 
fifteen miles, air line, south-easterly from Salt Lake City, are 
11,000 feet high, and have not been free from snow since the 
settlement of these valleys. 

The scenery around Salt Lake and Utah Valleys is singu- 
larly picturesque. 

The Utah Central Kailroad passes between the Hot Spring 
Lake and Spring, the latter being about four miles north-west- 
erly from Salt Lake City; in this direction are also the warm 
sulphur springs, about one mile from the Tabernacle. 

EOTTBTH CONSTITUTION OF DESEEET 

January 20th, 1872, the Legislative Assembly of Utah 
passed an act authorizing an election to be held for the purpose 
of electing Delegates to a Convention for the formation of a 
Constitution and form of State government. On the 27th, the 
Governor vetoed the bill. The veto power vested in the Gov- 
ernor of the Terrritory of Utah is absolute. On the 31st, the 
Legislative Assembly "unanimously passed a Joint Resolution, 
authorizing the people to vote for or against holding an election 
for the aforesaid purpose. An election was held on the 5th day 
of February, at which 104 delegates were elected to a Conven- 
tion, which met at Salt Lake City, February 19th, and on 

Eg^s _____ — -e^ 



I 



g^ *&3£ 

ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS. 67 

March. 2d, adopted a Constitution and form of State govern- 
ment, with an accompanying memorial to Congress, praying for 
admission into the Union as a Sovereign State. 

The Constitution provides for womans' suffrage and min- 
ority representation; and contains a provision that it should be 
submitted to the people for approval, and for the election of a 
Eepresentative to Congress. The returns of this election, held 
March 18th, showed that 25,324 persons voted for the Constitu- 
tion, and 368 against it, and that Frank Fuller was elected Eep- 
resentative to Congress. 

The Constitution also contained a provision, in case of its 
ratification by the people, for the convening of the Legislature 
of Deseret and the election of United States Senators. The 
Legislature met on the 4th, 5th, and 6th of April, and elected 
William H. Hooper and Thomas Fitch Senators, to represent 
the State of Deseret in the United States Senate. 

Pursuant to resolution of the Convention, a census of the 
inhabitants of the Territory was taken on the week succeeding 
the third Monday of March, which showed a population of 
105,229, exclusive of several settlements from which no returns 
were received. 

Messrs. George Q. Cannon, Thomas Fitch, and Frank 
Fuller Delegates elected by the Convention, immediately pro- 
ceeded to Washington, and on the second day of May, the 
Constitution of the State of Deseret was presented to both 
Houses of Congress. The principal objection raised to the 
admission of Deseret was the unpopularity of the religion of 
many of its inhabitants. The population of Utah exceeds that 
of Nevada and Nebraska combined, at the date of their 
admission. 

JUDICIAL PERSECUTION. 

In 1870 the Supreme Court of Utah. Territory was composed 
of Chief Justice C. C. Wilson, and Associate-Justices O. F. 
Strickland and C. M. Hawley. Chief Justice Wilson was re- 
removed, as it was found that he had opinions of his 
own, and the National Executive was desirous that the 
Utah. Federal officers should be a unit. James B. McKean was 
appointed Chief Justice, who united with the Associate- Jus- 
tices, in setting the laws of the Territory at defiance. They 
paralized the judiciary of the several counties, by declaring 
the statutes void that conferred civil and criminal jurisdiction 
upon the Probate Courts, which those courts had exercised for 
twenty years. They decided that the Territorial law under 
which jurors were drawn from the assessment rolls of the 
counties was void, and that all jurors must be selected by the 
U. S. Marshal or his deputies. By this ruling they set aside 
the law and practice of this and all other Territories from their 
earliest* formation. They further decided that their courts were 

gdgo- : — _____ 




$g*e- : -o^o 

68 ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS. 

United States courts, and ruled out the Territorial Attorney- 
General, the attorneys for the different districts, and the Ter- 
ritorial Marshal, and Sheriffs of Counties, declaring that the 
duties which had been performed by them belonged to the 
United States District Attorney and his . deputies, and the 
United States Marshal and his deputies. Under these rul- 
ings, civil and religious liberty had well nigh vanished from 
Utah, and tyranny and oppression usurped their places. 

A jury was packed by this inquisitorial court, which tried 
a case against the municipal officers of Salt Lake City, who had 
suppressed an unlicensed liquor establishment (EngeJbrecht's), 
under authority of a city ordinance. Judgment was rendered 
against the officers of the city for §59,063.25. In addition to 
this judgment each of the officers were held under excessive 
bonds to answer to a criminal proceeding growing out of the 
same act. 

This case was carried from the District to the Supreme 
Court of the Territory, and the judgment affirmed. The value 
of the property destroyed being over $1,000, the case was sub- 
ject to appeal to the Supreme Court of the United States, and 
it was appealed. 

The following pertinent items are extracted from the 
decision: 

"The principal question for consideration in this case is raised by the 
challenge of the defendants to the array of the jury in the Third District 
Court of the Territory of Utah. 

"The suit was a civil action for the recovery of a penalty for the de- 
struction of certain property of the plaintiffs by the defendants. The 
plaintiffs were retail dealers in the City of Salt Lake, and had refused to 
take out a license, as required by an ordinance of the city. The defend- 
ants, acting under the same ordinance, thereupon proceeded to the store of 
the plaintiffs, and destroyed their liquors to the value as alleged, of more 
than twenty-two thousand dollars. * * * * * * * 

"The theory upon which the various governments for portions of the 
Territory of the United States have been organized, has ever been that of 
leaving to the inhabitants all the powers of self-government consistent with 
the supremacy and supervision of national authority, and with certain 
fundamental principles established by Congress. *'**.* 

"In all the Territories, full power was given to the Legislature over 
all ordinary subjects of legislation. The terms in which it was granted 
were various, but the import was the same in all. * * * * 

"The language of the section conferring the Legislative authority in 
each of these acts is this : 

" 'The Legislative power of said Territory shall extend to all rightful 
subjects of Legislation, consistent with the Constitution of the United 
States, and the provisions of this act; but no law shall be passed interfer- 
ing with the primary disposal of the soil.' * * * * * 

"The method of procuring jurors for the trial of cases is therefore a 
rightful subject of legislation, and the whole matter of selecting, impan- 
neling and summoning jurors is left to the Territorial Legislature. 

"The action of the Legislatures of all the Territories has been in con- 
formity with this construction. In the laws of every one of them, from 
that organized under the ordinance of 1787 to the Territory of Montana 
are found acts upon this subject. And it is worth while to remark that , 
in three of the Territories, Nevada, New Mexico, and Idaho, the Judge of > 

_ _____ — _______ _e^- 



Probate has been associated with other officials in the selection of the lists 
for the different counties. 

"This Uniformity of construction by so many Territorial Legislatures, 
of the Organic Acts, in relation to their legislative authority, especially 
when taken in connection with the fact that none of these jury laws have 
been disapproved by Congress; though any of them would be annulled by 
such disapproval, confirms the opinion, warranted by the plain language 
of the Organic Act itself; that the whole subject matter of jurors in the 
Territories is committed to Territorial regulation. * * * * 

"In the next place, we are of opinion that the making of the jury 
lists by the County Courts was not a judicial act. Conceding that it was 
not in the power of the Territorial Legislature to confer judicial authority 
upon any other courts than those authorized by the Organic law, and that 
it was not within its competency to organize county courts for the admin- 
istration of justice, we cannot doubt the right of the Territorial Legisla- 
ture to associate select men with the Judge of Probate, and to call the body 
thus organized, a County Court, and to require it to make lists of persons 
qualified to serve as jurors. In making the selection, its members acted 
as a board, and not as a judicial body. * * * * 

"There is no Supreme Court of the United States, nor is there 
any District Court Of the United States, in the sense of the Consti- 
tution in the Territory of Utah. The Judges are not appointed for 
the same terms, nor is the jurisdiction which they exercise part of the 
judicial power conferred by the Constitution or the General Government. 
The courts are the legislative courts of the Territory, created in virtue of 
the clause which authorizes Congress to make all needful rules and regu- 
lations respecting the Territories belonging to the United States. * * 

"The Organic Act authorized the appointment of an attorney and a 
marshal for the Territory, who may properly enough be called the attorney 
and marshal of the United States for the Territory, for their duties in the 
courts have exclusive relation to cases arising under the laws and Consti- 
tution of the United States. * * * * * * 

"Upon the whole, we are of the opinion that the jury in this ease was 
not selected and summoned in conformity with law, and that the challenge 
to the array should have been allowed. This opinion makes it unnecessary 
to consider the other questions in the case. 

The judgment of the Supreme Court of the Territory of Utah must 
be reversed." 

In September, 1871, Chief Justice James B. McKean and 
U. S. Marshal, M. T. Patrick, packed with much care and pre- 
cision a grand jury for the Third Judicial District. C. H. 
Hempstead, Esq., U. S. Attorney, being unwilling to prosecute 
under the rulings of the court resigned, and the Chief Justice 
without authority of law, appointed R. ~N. Baskin and George 
R. Maxwell to act as U. S. Attorneys, by whom the members 
of the Grand Inquest were closely questioned as to their reli- 
gious faith, the court uniformly rejecting all who professed 
belief in the doctrines of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- 
day Saints. 

This grand inquisition, acting in concert with the court- 
made attorneys, presented indictments against Brigham Young, 
Daniel II. Wells, George Q. Cannon, H. B. Clawson and others, 
for lascivious cohabitation, under a statute of Utah, enacted in 
j 852, with the intent of prohibiting prostitution and seduction. 
This statute was passed by a Legislature, the members of which 
were unanimously believers in, and four-fifths of them practi- 
* cal observers of, the law of celestial marriage as practiced by 

:g*e- — 





•esS$ 



70 ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS. 

Abraham, Jacob, Moses, and other great and good men. Each 
of the parties indicted were arrested, and placed under bonds 
of $5,000, with two sureties. 

President Brigham Young's health was feeble, and his attor- 
neys asked for a continuance until the March term, as it had been 
his intention to recruit his health in the mild climate of South- 
ern Utah. The Judge replied that ample time would be given, 
and accordingly, on the 24th of October, President Young, 
accompanied by his first Councilor, George A. Smith, started 
for the South. They spent the most of their time at St. George, 
which was in telegraphic communication with Salt Lake City. 
It was soon extensively published that President Young had 
lied from justice. 

On the 27th day of October, 1871, Daniel H. Wells, second 
Councilor to President Young, and Mayor of Salt Lake City, 
Hosea Stout, and William H. Kimball, were arrested on a 
trumped up charge of murder, and committed to the militarv 
prison at Camp Douglas. Mayor Wells, (it is believed through 
the kind offices of General Morrow) was admitted by Judge 
McKean to bail in the sum of $50,000, to the ^reat joy of the 
citizens. Bail was refused in behalf of the other prisoners. 

George C. Bates, Esq., was appointed by the President and 
Senate, U. S. Attorney for Utah. He announced in court, that 
on the 8th of January, 1872, he would commence the trial of 
Brigham Young, who had been indicted for murder. President 
Young on learning this, immediately started for Salt Lake City, 
facing a northern mountain storm for about 350 miles, and 
delivered himself to the court, without having been arrested. 
U. S. Attorney Bates asked that Brigham Young mi^ht be ad- 
mitted to bail in the sum of $500,000, but the Chief Justice 
refused, and committed him to the custody of the Marshal, 
who was authorized to convert President Young's house into a 
prison, where he was retained in custody by Deputy Marshal 
Isaac F. Evans, until April the 25th, when he was discharged 
by Hon. Elias Smith, Probate Judge, on writ of liabeas corpus. 

To the people of the Territory, McKean' s unlawful pro- 
ceedings appeared in no other light than wanton usurpations 
and outrages upon the rights of humanity; and although they 
felt very keenly the degradation and abuse inflicted upon 
them, not a single act of insubordination was made manifest. 

The unanimous decision of the Supreme Court, in the 
Engelbrecht case, showed that a lawful grand jury had not 
been impanneled in Utah for about two years. 

When this decision became known, "thousands of the in- 
nabitants of Utah shed tears of jov, at the reflection, that the 
lives and liberties of American citizens, notwithstanding they 
may have an unpopular religion, were not at the unlimited 
disposal of religious bigots and political tricksters, and that 



f 




ip" — ^ ~~ ~^$ 

(j ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS. 71 j) 

the inhabitants of Territories had some rights in common with 
their countrymen. 

The effect of these illegal prosecutions upon the material 
developments of the country — especially the mining and rail- 
road interests — in preventing the flow of capital hither, was 
very disastrous. 




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